PR 4974 
.M15 H6 
1912 
iCopy 1 



Hartley Manners 



THE 

House Next Door 




A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS 



Walter H. Baker 6 Co., Boston 



a, m. pnero's Paps 



TH F AMA70NS ^^^^® "^ Three Acts. Seven males, five females. 
aulAl< 1«J Costumes, modern ; scenery, not difScult. Plays 
a full evening. 

Tta CABINET MINISTER rr^coTtur^lrnl^! 

scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

DANDY DICK ^^^'^^ ^^ Three Acts. Seven males, four females. 
Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays 
two hours and a half. 

THP flAY TODD fillFT comedy in Four Acts. Four males, ton 

UH I4 V *^ females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 

two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

HIS H DUSiF in ORDFR Comedy in Four Acts. Kine males, four 
^ females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, 

three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THF HORRY HORSF comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, five 
lilLi II nil II Li fgjjjales. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. 
Plays two hours and a half. 

■ Die Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

I ADY RflllNTIFIII ^^^^ "^ Four Acts. Eight males, seven fe- 
^ W irf males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- 

teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening. 

I FTTY I^rama in Four Acts and an Epilogue, Ten males, five fe- 
^ males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. Plays a 

full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Waltn ^. OBaSer & Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 



The House Next Door 



THE CHARACTERS IN THE COMEDY 

T/ie Cotswold Family 

Sir John Cotswold, baronet. 

Margaret, his wife. 

Ulrica, his daughter. 

Cecil, his son. 

ViNiNG, his servant. 

Capt. tht Hon. Clive Trevor. 

The Jacob son Family 

Sir Isaac Jacobson, M. P. 
Rebecca, his wife. 
Esther, his daughter. 
Adrian, his son. 
Maximilian, his servant. 
Walter Lewis, musical agent. 




Copyright, 191 2, by j. Hartley Manners 



gCI,D 28287 
NG, ( 



fo 



THE SCENES IN THE COMEDY 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Morning room in Sir John Cotswold*s house in 
the Cotstuold Park EstntCy Kensingtony London. 

ACT 11 

'^QYj'HVj. —Dmwifig-room in Sir Isaac Jarobson's house. 
Next Door. The same afternoon. 



ACT III 
SCENE. — Same as Act L Three days later. 



First produced at the Gaiety Theatre, New Tork City, 
Monday April 12, jgog, with the following company : 



h 



The Cotsw old Family 



Sir John Cotswold 
Lady Cotswold . 
Cecil Cotswold . 
Ulrica Cotswold 

ViNING 

Capt. the Hon. Clive Trevor 



Mr. J. E, Dodson. 
Miss Ruth Chester. 
Mr. W. J. Kelley. 
Miss Mabel Roebuck. 
Mr. A. T. Hendon. 

Mr. W. H. Sams, 



F 



The Jacobson Family 



Sir Isaac Jacobson, M. 
Lady Jacobson . 
Adrian Jacobson 
Esther Jacobson 
Maximilian 

Walter Lewis . • 



Mr. Thomas Findlay. 
Miss Eleanor Moretti. 
Mr. Regan Hughston. 
Miss Farnia Marinoff. 
Mr. Charles Diem. 

Mr. Herbert Standing, 



To 
y. E. DODSON 

In grateful appreciation 

J. HARTLEY MANNERS 
December ^ rgii 



The House Next Door 



ACT I 

SCENE. — The action passes In the morning room of Sir 
John Cotswold's house. It is somewhat sparsely fur- 
nishedy but everything in the roofn is old, massive, dig- 
nified in its simplicity. An old straight-backed piano 
down R., open, a piece of music on the rest. Chester- 
field R. c. Writing bureau at hack, r. c. Breakfast 
table L. c, partly laid. Heavy door at back, c. ; 
deeply recessed door l. ; smaller door down r. A large, 
old-fashioned window, l., lights the room, and through 
it can be seen the foliage of the railed-in gardens, all 
that is left of the once famous Cotswold Park. It is 
morning on a day in late spring and a faint, watery 
sunlight is struggling in through the partly opened 
windows, 

\_As the curtain rises, the door-bell rings and Vining, 
a white-haired, subdued, precise servant, enters 
with basket of flowers, l., puts it in front of side- 
board, then hurries out c, leaving the door open. 
As he disappears, the door r. opens and Ulrica, a 
fair, Saxon, beautiful girl of twenty-two, enters 
anxiously ; walks over to door l. and listens appre- 
hensively. Vining reenters carrying more flowers, 
luets, wreaths, etc. 
1 



2 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 
\_By doof L.] Good-morning, Vining. 

ViNING. 

Good -morning, miss. [^Bringing her fiowers, etc^ Mr, 
Cecil's servant from the opera just brought these, 

[ Hands fiowers . 

Ulrica. 

Oh, how lovely! [^Takes violets and large wreath.'] I 
was so afraid the ringing would disturb my father. 

Vining. 
So was I, miss. I hurried as quickly as I could. 

Ulrica. 

[^Burying her face in the fiowers.'] Put these on the 
table, Vining, and bring me a vase. 

{Crosses to settee ; puts wreath down. 

Vining. 

Yes, miss. It was a wonderful night last night, miss. 
\^Puts flowers on small table up v.., gets vase from 
sideboard and brings it to table. 

Ulrica. 
Were you there ? 

Vining. 

[^At table.] Yes, in the gallery. I carried Mr. Cecil's 
hymn-book to the first choir he ever sang in. I had to 
see his first appearance in opera at Covent Garden. 



THE HOtJSK NEXT J)()OE 3 

Ulrica. 
[At table, puts violets in bowl.'] It was nice of you, 
Viuing. I'll tell my brother. \_A barrel-organ commences 
' ' La Donna e Mobile ' ' immediately under window. Ul- 
rica and ViNiNG start and look nervously at door l.] 
Please send him away, Vining. My father will be so 
angry if it wakes him. 

Vining. 
Yes, miss. [Hurries out c. 

[Ulrica hurries to window and closes it. She 
smiles through her fears as she glances at the 
door L. She crosses, takes up wreath frfl?n 
couch, looks at the card and reads the inscrip- 
tion. Organ stops. 

Ulrica. 
" With the warmest wishes of Sir Isaac and Lady 
Jacobson." 

[Kftocker is heard and door-bell rings ; a troubled 
look fiits across her face as she stands unde- 
terminedly looking first at the wreath and then 
at the door l. She makes up her mind ; goes 
to the piano and places the wreath on the top of 
the piano. Opens the window again. 

Vining. 
[Reenters c] Miss Jacobson. 

[Vining closes door c, after Esther's entrance : 
he goes down L,, gets chair and places it foot of 
table and exits C, first arranging iivo wreaths 
and flowers on the small cabinet at doorway. 
Enter Esther Jacobson, a dark, attractive, 
warm-hearted, impulsive and altogether roman- 
tic young lady of eighteen. She has an enthusi- 
astic, excitable, rapid method of talking and a 
pealing, infectious laugh. 



4 THE HOUSE Ni:XT 1)00 H 

Ulrica. 
[Gives a little cry of pleasure R. ^Esther, and em- 
braces her.'\ My dear Esther, how early you are ! 

\_ Brings her down front of settee. 

Esther. 
[Impulsively and excitedly. '\ Oh! I've been up for 
hours. I scarcely slept last night at all ! 1 was so ex- 
cited. Oh ! Your brother. Last night ! Oh ! 

[ Words fail her, she sinks on the Chesterfield, C. 

Ulrica. 

[Standing beside her, r., smiling, holds her right hand^ 
You liked him ? 

Esther. 
Liked him? He is wonderful! What an ariist ! It 
isn't merely iiis voice, but his art. His carriage. His 
atmosphere. His personality. He was so true — so 

simple — so powerful. So dignified — so great 

[Lack of breath stops her. 

Ulrica. 
[Places her hand over her mouth : sits, laughing:'} You 
little enthusiast. 

Esther. 
[Ji^mps up c, turns, facing Ulrica.] His poise ! His 
grace ! And his last scene ! [jFaces audience.'] Oh ! 
[Impulsively turning to Ulrica.] And all the while I 
was watching him, I kept thinking: "I know him. I 
know him. He knows me. Insignificant me." And to 
think he's your brother. How happy you must be! 

[Clasping her hands. 

Ulrica. 
Of course I am. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 5 

Esther. 
And proud. 

Ulrica. 

Very proud. [^Points to wreath on piano.'] Look, your 
father's wreath. And ever so much the largest. 

Esther. 
What can a mere wreatli convey '^ How can mere 
prose do justice to such a master ? It would take a poet. 
And a great poet, too ! 

\_Vety enthusiastically. Ulrica listens and looks 
at cioor l. 

Ulrica. 
Sssh! 

[Quiets Esther and crosses to door l. Listens. 

Esther. 
[^Alarmed.'] Is your brother in there ? 

Ulrica, 
No. My father s in there — asleep. 

[Turning from door. 

Esther. 
Oh I 

Ulrica. 
[Crossing to L. of Esther.] Cecil spent his first night 
with us for years last night. This will be his first break- 
fast in the bosom of his family since he's become famous. 

Ivsther. 
[Pressing her heart.'] Oh ! Oh ! If he were to come in. 

Ulrica. 

Well ? And if he were ? 



6 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 

I think I should die. 

Ulrica. 
[^Taking Jier by the hands, swinging her and laughing at 
her.'] You silly, silly child. I believe you're in love with 
him. 

Esther. 
I am. 

Ulrica. 
Oho, I'll tell him. 

Esther. 

l^Pulls herself away. '\ If you do I think I'd kill myself. 
Tell me. How was he? Last night? After the per- 
formance ? {^Eagerly. 

Ulrica. 

{Matter of fact.] Just as he always is. Quite ordinary. 
And rather tired ! 

ESTHEl 

[c] Ulrica! Tired — perhaps; but ordinary — never! 

Ulrica. 
And very thirsty. 

Esther. 
Thirsty — he thirsty ! '• Don Giovanni " ? 

Ulrica. 
{Laughing?^ Doesn't Don Giovanni drink in the ban- 
quet scene ? 

Esther. 
Yes. But out of goblets of gold, and with the world of 
pleasure and beauty around him. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 7 

Ulrica. 
Well, Cecil drank out of ordinary glasses, and with us 
around him. Just us. \Laughs. Takes Esther in her 
arms and hugs her.^ It's a shame to tease you. 

Esther. 
{^Sliiy,~\ Ulrica, my brother comes home to-day ! 

Ulrica. 
[^Starts ; releases 'EsTliE.Yt..'\ Adrian! Oh! 

[^Tums away, R. 
Esther. 

Yes. Oh ! He's graduated with honors, and he holds 
the record for the half-mile. IVe are very proud of him, 

Ulrica. 
{^Moves away thinking to R. of couch.'] Of course ! Of 
course I 

Esther. 
{Follows her toward R. c] Come in this afternoon. 

Ulrica. 
[^Eagerly turns.'] May I? 

Esther. 
Do. Adrian wrote me to ask you. 

Ulrica. 
Did he? Oh! 

Esther. 
{^Laughing.] Ha, ha, ha ! 

Ulrica. 
[7/7 front of settee, indignantly.'] What are you laugh- 
ing at? 



8 THE IKHhSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther, 
[l,] He's — he's — oh ! awfully in love with you. 

Ulrica. 
Don't be silly. [^7urns aivay. 

Esther. 
He is. He is. He is ! \Goe$ to end of couch following 
Ulrica.] Awfully in love ! Do you love him? 

Ulrica. 

\Siis. K. end of settee. \ Esther! 

Esther. 

Oil ! [.S//.V beside her on settee L.] I knew I'd forgotten 
something. On Sunday night we're giving a wonderful 
reception. Every one will be there. It is to celebrate 
my father being made a knight. Sir Isaac ! Sec ? After 
the opera last night my father and mother asked Cecil — 
1 mean your brother — if he would sing for us. And he 
consented. 

Ulrica. 
Really ? IRises. 

Esther. 
\^Puts her riirht hand on Ulrica's left.'] You must 
come too, dear, and your father and mother. 

\fraking\}\A\\ck'S hand. 

Ulrica. 
\Shakes her head.'] No. My father doesn't allow Sir 
Isaac's name to be mentioned in his presence. 

Esther. 
[^Pouting, rises and goes a step to c] Oh ! 1 low stupid. 
Why does he hate papa so much ? Because he is a yeiv? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 9 

Ulrica. 
Partly ! 

Esther. 
How narrow. There are some very nice Jews. I know 
we are ! {^Goes toward Ulrica.] Because he's rich ? 

Ulrica. 
A good deal. 

Esther. 
Father couldn't help it. The money seemed to just 
come to him — and stay there, because he bought up 
your father's mortgages on the Cotswold estate, and has 
come to live next door to him ? 

Ulrica. 
That, perhaps, most of all. 

Esther. 
Motiier did that. She wanted to live next door. And 
to save arguments and fuss — papa hates fuss — he just gave 
in, and there we are. But oh, what a pity ! What a 
pity! 

[ The door c. opens quietly nf id Cecil, a handsome, 
powerful young man of thirty, enters. He is 
carrying a large photograph of a pugilist. 

Esther. 
{^Holds out her hand to Ulrica ; goes on impulsive ly.")^ 
Ulrica, how wretched, how stupid, how beastly money is. 

Cecil. 

[^Coming down cheerily. 1 Good-morning, Ulrica. 

Esther. 
\_Rises, pressing her hf art violently , in a whisper. '\ Don 
(iiovanni ! 



10 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 

\_Coming- down L. of Ulrica, shows her photograph^ 
What do you think of this? My old boxing master sent 
this round to me after the performance last night. Listen. 
\Reads?^ " To my pwpil, Mr. Cotswold, from the heavy- 
weight champion of England, Jake Blumenthal. You 
were very good. Jake." I'liere ! yHolds up photo to 
L., so that audience can see it, then hands it to Ulrica, 
who turns up stage a step.] Even he was at the Garden 
last night to see my success. Wasn't it nice of him .'^ 
[Cecil /oo/is at Estiikr, who is standing trembling, half 
turned away from him. He crosses to Esther, takes her 
hands; enthusiastically.] Why, P^sther ! My child 
sweetheart! {^Holding her by both hands. "^ I'm delighted 
to see you again. Delighted ! 

Esther. 

[^Struggling bashfully.'] Please let me go ! 

Cecil. 
You're trembling ! Just as you used to years and years 
ago. [Looking at her admiringly.] What a beautiful 

young lady you've grown into. Why, you're Sit 

down. 

[Gently presses her on to Chesterfield, then goes to 
Ulrica, whispers to her in pantomime, telling 
her to leave them. Ulrica behind couch 
laughs and tiptoes to door R. Puts photograph 
on piano in passim^, fust above book •• The 
Ghetto." 

Esther. 
[Looks around and sees Ulrica at door ; jumps up 
a/anned.] Ulrica ! 

[Ulrica laughs and exits R. 

Cecil. 
[Laughing, goes to end of sofa.] Splendid! I've got 
you all to myself. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOB IV 

Esther. 

But, Mr. Cotswold- — 

Cecil. 

Now sit down The first time I've seen you for 

hundreds of years, and you want to run away, the mo- 
ment I speak to you. I'm surprised at you ! You seem 
to forget that we're old sweethearts. Do you remember 
when we were married ? 

Esther. 
[Blushing, hanging her head ; very faintly^ Yes. 

Cecil. 

We toddled up to the altar like grown-up people, and 
took the marriage-vows, and then, just hke some grown-up 
people, separated almost at once. How long ago it 
seems. Now here we are both grown up and you've for- 
gotten all about me. 

Esther. 
Oh, no, I haven't. [ Turns quickly. 

Cecil. 

Did you ever think of me ? [Esther nods^ I've often 
thought o{ you — often ! 

Esther. 
Have you ? 

Cecil. 

Very often. Sometimes I was on the point of writing 
to you. But how dare a poor devil of a musical student 
write to the beautiful daughter of a merchant prince.-* 
Eh? No right to, at all, had he? At least not until he 
made a success. Well, I've made it — at last ! 



19 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
1 know you have. {^Tums to him.'\ I am so very, very 
glad, Mr, Cots 

Cecil. 

{Checks her.^ Ah ! Cecil / 

Esther. 
{Meekly. '] Cecil ! 

Cecil. 
That's right. Do you know the first to come on the 
stage last night and congratulate me ? Your father ! He 
seemed as pleased as I was that I'd succeeded. 

Esther. 
He was. We were all pleased. 

Cecil. 
Were you there ? 

Esther. 
Yes. 

Cecil. 
Really? [Esther nods.'] Like the opera? [Esther 
nods.'] Like me ? [Esther nods vti^orously.] Splendid. 
Coming again ? [Esther ;/^^A.] Often? [E.sth'EK nods .] 
Magnificent. Do you sing? [Esthkk shakes her head ^^ 
But you play ? 

Esther. 
Oh, yes. {Nvds, 

Cecil. 
Then I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll go through all 
the operas together. Shall we? 

Esther. 
Oh, I'd love to. 



THK MOiJSE NEXT DOOE 13 

Cecil. 
You shall. I'll call und see you this afternoon. [Look 
of delight from EsTiihK.] And every afternoon if you'll 
let me — will you? [Estheu nods.'\ You'd really Uke 
to see me ? [Esther muisP^ Every day ? [i\od.'\ Posi- 
tive ? [AW.] Tell me — \l>ending toward her\ is there any 
of the child love left .'' Or is it all gone i 



Esther. 



Oh, no 



Cecil. 
Some left .'' How much ? [Esther's eyes meet his ; she 

fives long sigh and drops her head.'] As much as that ? 
Ulrica enters from door r. Esther nods.'\ Splendid ! 
[ Esther hears door handle turn ; she Jumps up 
and exclaims " Oh / " and crosses to R. c. 

Ulrica. 
Mother's coming. 

[Smiles at Cecil and Esther and goes out c, 
leaving door open. 

Cecil. 
[71? Esther.] I'll take you home. 

Esther, 
[l. (?/ Cecil.] No! No! Please! 

Cecil. 
I'll call this afternoon after rehearsal. 

Esther. 
Will you ? 

Cecil. 

Certainly I will— till then 

[ Jakes her hand. 



J4 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
Good-bye, Mr. Cots 

Cecil. 
Ah, Cecil — Cecil 

Esther. 
IBasfifuily.'l Cecil. 

Cecil. 
Au re voir, Esther. \_Holdmg her hand, Esther turns 
L. and goes up c. to door, turns, catches Cecil's eye ; 
business. Exit, closing door. CiiCiL gives expression of 
delight, turns to piano down R., sees wreath on piano, picks 
it up a?td reads card.'] " With the warmest wishes of Sir 
Isaac and Lady Jacobson." Isn't that splendid ? \_Places 
wreath on couch. Ulrica enters c. To Ulrica.] Isn't 
she beautiful ? Isn't she perfect ? 

Ulrica. 
That's just what she said about you. 

\Takes small jug from sideboard, and pours water 
in vase on table. 

Cecil. 
[c] Did she ? Has she been coming here often ? 

Ulrica. 
Yes — to see me. 

Cecil. 
Does father Hke her? 

Ulrica. 
Oh, yes, in a grouchy way. But he hates the family 
worse than ever, especially now they're Sir Isaac and 
Lady Jacobson. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 15 

Cfxil. 
[Sitting on l. arm of settee, laughing.'] That must have 
been a shock to him. By the way, how's the son? 

Ulrica. 
^Blushing.'] The son ? 

Cecil. 
Yes — Adrian. Do you ever see him ? 

Ulrica. 
[Embarrassed.'] Sometimes. [Comes around front of 
table.] See, Cecil dear, your flowers — they've just come 
from the theatre 

Cecil. 
[Rises; goes to her.] Why, you're blushing — you're 
positively crimson. [Ulrica covers her cheeks with her 
hands, Cecil takes her hands away P] Ulrica, you're in 
love too. 

Ulrica. 
Cecil! 

Cecil. 
[Holds her hands, taking her up c] You are, you arc. 
Own up. 

Ulrica. 
[Drops his hands ; places her hands on his shoulders.] 
Yes, I am. But, oh, please say nothing. Father would 
make things even more miserable for me than they 
already are. 

Cecil. 

Here's a pretty complication. I'm in love with Esther 

— you're in love with her brother [Laughing.] I've 

just come in time. 



16 2'HE HOUSE NEXT JJOOK 

Ulrica. 
Promise me you'll say nothing to father? 

Cecil. 
Say nothing ! I'll say everything. I'll carry him by 
storm. 

Ulrica. 
Oh, no. 

Cecil. 

At the right moment. \_Phu'ing his hands on her shoul- 
ders.] At the right moment. I'm not going to allow him 
to stand in the way of my happiness, nor in the way of 
yours. Here — here — where's breakfast? I'm starving! 

ICrosstng- to bell. 

Ulrica. 

\^Ex cited ly?^ Don't. Don't ring! 

Cecil. 
Why not? 

Ulrica. 
If breakfast were served before father came in he 
wouldn't eat a thing all day. 

Cecil. 
Wouldn't he? Well, it's time he was up. Let us call 
him. {Going to door \.. 

Ulrica. 
{Alaryned.'\ No. Don't. Please. We always have 
to wait until father wakes. He won't allov^- any one to 
call him. 

Cecil. 
Great heavens! Suppose he slept all day? I'll call 
him at once. {luming to door. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 17 

Ulrica. 

{^Insistently J\ Cecil! You mustn't! If you do, he 
won't leave his room at all. 

Cl-XIL. 

What nonsense. {About to knock at door. 

Ui.KlCA. 

[Going right over to hint.] Don't. Please. We have 
enough trouble with him when everything goes smoothly 

Ckcil. 

{Turning to her.] But it's so fooUsh. He must be even 
more difficult to manage than he used to be. 

Ulrica. 

{Evasivety.'] Oh, well. He's had a great deal of trou- 
ble. Don't ; please don't. 

Cecil. 

All right, I won't. But Ulrica — tell me— honestly — how 
do you manage to live ? 

Ulrica. 
Mother and I have had to work. 

Cecil. 
What kind of work ? 

Ulrica. 

Translations, designs for dresses, anything that would 
earn a little now and then 

Cecil. 

Has it been as bad as that? 



18 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 
Everything is mortgaged now — and — and Sir Isaac 
Jacobson bought the mortgages. Even this house is his. 
We owe him rent for it. But ihc bitterest thing to father 
was his coming to hve next door to us. 

Cecil. 
\Goes to her, places his hand on her shoulder."] Well, 
all that is going to be changed. And at once. Last 
night's success made me. I go to America next. I'm 
going to make vast sums of money. And the first will go 
to repay everything I cost my family. 

[Enter Lady Cotswold, doar r. 

Ulrica. 
Don't talk Uke that. We're all proud of you 

Cecil. 
Well, I'm not particularly proud of myself. 

Margaret. 
{^Commg down from door R. to c, smiling at her chil- 
dren.'] Good-morning, my dears. 

Cecil. 
\Goes to her, kisses her.] Good -morning, mother. 

Margaret. 
[Looking lovingly at him.] Are you rested ? 

Cecil. 
Quite. 

Margaret. 
My boy, I do wish your father had heard you last 
night. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 19 

Cecil. 

He will hear me. He must hear me. Every one will 

hear me 

Ulrica. 

Isn't he conceited, mother? 

Cecil. 
Why, the whole world is going to hear me. 

Margaret. 
The world, dear? {^Turning toward him. 

Ulrica. 
He's going to America, mother. 

Margaret. 

\^Tums to Cecil, alartned, going to Aim.'] Oh, no. 
Not America. Not across the sea, dear. 

Cecil. 

Across the sea are millions of dollars, and I'm going 
over to annex some of them, and then [^embracing her], 
charming mother and devoted sister, no more worries, no 
more struggles. Everything shall be made easy for you. 

Margaret. 

I don't want anything but my own near me. Espe- 
cially just now when your father is not quite himself. 

[Bell rings long and loudly. 

Margaret and Ulrica. 

[Together, exchange glances and look at door L.] 
Father ! 

{^Enter Vmi^G, C, carrying copy of *' The Times." 



aO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
Breakfast at last. I'm starving. [^Crosses to end of 
couch. Bell goes on ringing till. ViNiNCi reaches door L.] 
He seems just as impatient as ever. 

Margaret. 
\Smiling.'\ Good -morning, Vining. 

ViNING. 

\Goes around back of table to door L.] Good-morning, 
my lady. \_Exit, l, 

Cecil. 
[Calling after him.'] Dress him quickly, Vining, and 
hurry the breakfast. [The bell stops. 

Margaret. 

^Hurriedly and anxiously, comes down to Cecu-.] Be- 
fore your father comes in I must warn you. Be very 
careful. He knows nothing about your sister's little 
legacy. 

Cecil. 

What legacy ? 

Margaret. 
Her aunt's. Don't you remember? 

Cecil. 
Why ? Has she got it already ? 

Margaret, 
A year ago, Cecil. 

Cecil. 
I didn't know that. Why, that's splendid. Then 
you've not been so badly off as I thought. Why didn't 
you tell me ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 21 

Margaret. 
We didn't like you to know l^ow it had been spent. 



Cecil, 
Spent? Is It spent? All of it? 



\_Hfl/ding her hands. 



Margaret. 
Yes, all of it. That is why 1 don't want you to ever 
refer to it before your father. He doesn't know. 

Cecil. 
\_A thought suddenly coming to him.'] How was it spent, 
mother? {^PauseJ] On me? [//<? looks from Margaret 
to Ulrica. Margaret nods. Ulrica boivs her head.] 
Why didn't you tell me ? 

Margaret. 
Because we were afraid you would not have accepted it. 

Cecil. 
Nor would I. I'd have managed somehow. I'd have 
economized. Not lived as I did. 

Margaret. 
We knew you'd succeed. And the singing lessons 
were expensive, and so- ■ 

Cecil. 
[ Takes her hand.'] I've triumphed through your strug- 
gles. But it shall be repaid. Every penny, and with 
interest. 

Sir John. 
[Outside.] Be careful, Vining, be careful. Do you 
think my feet are made of iron? 



28 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
[/« an anxious whisper.^ Not a word before your 
father. And oh, please, be careful with him — don't anger 
him, will you ? 

Cecil. 
It doesn't need me to anger him, to judge by his voice. 
Vining's done it already. 

Margaret. 
Remember, dear, if he's a little impatient and irritable, 
he has had a great deal to put up with since misfortune 
came to us. 

Cecil. 
I'll remember. 

Sir John. 
IPuhide.^ That'll do, that'll do. 

Margaret. 
[Frightened.'^ Here he is ! 

Sir John. 
[Speaking through the half-open door.'] Once more — 
just once and I'll discharge you. I'll not have fools 
around me. Knaves I must have. They're all round 
me, but fools I pay wages to — no ' Understand me, no! 
[Enters l., banging door abruptly behind him. He is 
fully dressed save for a dressing gown. He is carrying a 
coPy of '' The Times,'' creased down at the '* letters."] 
Morning, everybody. Come ! Come — come ! Where's 
breakfast ? [Vining enters l. and crosses to doorc] Why 
isn't it on the table? You heard my bell ring? [l. c] 
Why isn't breakfast on the table, Vining? What is the 
use of my telling you the same thing day after day — day 
after day ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 23 

VlNlNG. 

Why, you distinctly said 

Sir John. 
\^Up c] Don't answer me. Get out! [Vining ex- 
its c. To Margaret.] It seems a simple tiling, my dear, 
to manage a household with a little order, a little method. 
Instead everything late. Always late. It's bitter, bitter. 

Margaret. 
But, John, my dear, don't you know 

Sir John. 
Talking won't mend it, my dear. [^Turns suddenly, 

shudders!]^ Shut that window 

[Sir John crosses to fire, throws " The limes" on 
table as he goes. Cecil starts for window, but 
Ulrica runs to get there first. 

Cecil. 

[^Front of piano, speaks as Sir John rubs his hands.'] 
Good-morning, father. 

[Ulrica has closed window and stays there. 
Cecil picks up book. 

Sir John. 
^Turning quickly.] Why good? It's a particularly 
baa morning. My whole day is spoiled. Completely 
spoiled. [^Sniffittg.'] What is it I smell ? [^Seeing the roses, 
etc., on small table by door.] Flowers ! Pah ! This is not 
a boudoir— it's a breakfast room. Away with them. \_//e 
knocks them all on floor. Cecil picks up fiowers and 
hands them to Ulrica.] Ulrica, take them out of my 
sight. Put 'em where I can neither see 'em nor smell 
'em [Vining enters c. with breakfast dishes, toast, eggs, 
coffee, etc. ; arranges them on table assisted by Margaret. 
Sir John sees the wreath on sofa.] What's this? A 
wreath? Great heavens! This isn't a mausoleum. 



24 THE HO USE NEXT DOOR 

[ Takes up large wreath and reads card through eye-glass. '\ 
" With the warmest wishes of Sir Isaac and Lady Jacob- 
son." The impertinence! The damned impertinence! 
Sir Isaac ! Ha ! Vining, put that in the fire. 

\_Flings the wreath on the Jioor. \'inixg picks it 
up, puts it on tray, turns to Margaret, c. She 
takes vase with violets from table and puts it 
on Vining' s tray. Then Ulrica puts two 
small wreaths and other Jiowers on tray. 

Cecil. 
\At piano, back of couch ^ They are //y/ flowers, father, 
it's my wreath. Vining, put them in my room. 

[Vining exits c. with the flowers, etc. 

Sir John. 
\jPacing about furiously.'] An insult. That's what 1 
have to put up with continually — insults. That damned 
Jew to present my son with a wreath. 

Ulrica. 
He didn't mean it as an insult, father. It was just a 
thoughtful, kindly act. 

Sir John. 
I don't want his thoughts. I don't want his kindness. 
I don't want his wreaths — not even when I'm buried. 
Tliough that, no doubt, would give him the greatest pos- 
sible pleasure. Wreaths. Pah ! [Cecil laughs with 
genuine atnusement. Sir John, angrily7\ How dare you 
laugh, sir ? 

Cecil. 
When you talk like thnt, father, I think you're funny. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 26 

Sir John. 
Funny ! Funny ! How dare you ? I would remind 
you that you are speaking to your father, sir — not to 
some low music-liall person — the kind of society you 
seem to prefer. 

Cecil. 

Why should you think that ? 

Sir John. 
Theatres! Operas! Music-halls! They're all alike. 
Mountebanks ! 

[/4// through the foregoing scene Margaret and 
Ulrica have poured out the coffee and setved 
breakfast. 

Ulrica. 
Father, please come to breakfast. 

Sir John. 
Breakfast ! The very thought of it revolts me. [^Shud- 
ders'] My appetite's gone. [Cecil crosses to top of table 
and sits. Ulrica puts cup of coffee by Sir John's piate.] 
Entirely gone. My whole morning destroyed. [Goes to 
tabte, places \]i^iuCA.'s chair. Sits chair K. of table. They 
all arrange serviettes. Sir John stirs coffee : sips it ; furi- 
ously.] Who put sugar in my coffee ? 

Margaret. 
[Nervonsly.] 1 gave you the wrong cup, John. This 
is yours. 

[Ulrica passes cup to him, and his back to Mar- 
garet. 

Sir John. 
Of course. Naturally. Nothing could be right. 



96 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOB 

Cecil. 
l^Cheerily.'] Now, father, you must be reasonable. 

Sir John. 
Reasonable ! [7b Margaret.] Margaret. {^She looks 
up."] Kindly request your son not to bring his theatre 
manners to my breakfast table. Reasonable ! [^Enter 
ViNiNG, c, with ham, which he places on sideboard. Sir 
John stares in horror at opened eg-g.~\ Vining ! [Vining 
comes to R. of Sir John.] Take this egg away and des- 
troy it. [Vining takes up the egg gravely and looks at it, 
solemnly shakes his head and exits c] It's bitter. Bitter. 
Why ? I ask you, why ? Cannot even one's eggs be 
decent.^ Or at least of recent birth? Surely it is not too 
much to expect? Margaret, may I ask you where you 
contrive to purchase such abominations ? 

Margaret. 
From the very best shop in the neighborhood, John. 
Mr. Solomon's. 

Sir John. 
Solomon's! Solomon s I Is there no Christian dairy- 
man in the district ? Solomon's. What is England com- 
ing to when one has to buy even one's food from Jews? 
An island, eh? Ha — we're a small country entirely sur- 
rounded by Jews — that's what we are. 

Cecil. 
Now, father—— 

Sir John. 
Silence. [^Pause.'] Solomon's ! I suppose you get your 
vegetables from Lazarus' ? and your meats from Isaac's ? 
and your groceries from Levy's? Jews, Jews, Jews wher- 
ever one turns. Three invisible brass balls suspended 
over the entire United Kingdom. [Sir John takes toast 
from rack, butters it savagely, takes marmalade from jar t 



TBE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 27 

then pauses suddenly, looks from one to the other; they 
are all eating, not looking at him.'] Well, why doesn't 
some one say something ? Are you all dumb ? \_Pause.'\ 
Not good enough to be spoken to, eh? \_Eats.] 
I'm funny, am I? Unreasonable? No Christian dairy- 
man in the district, eh ? It's bitter ! Bitter ! 

[^Goes on eating, takes apple from dish, cuts it, and 
eats it. 

Cecil. 
[Little pause, then cheerfully.] Well, you seem to be 
enjoying your breakfast, father, after all. 

Sir John. 
{Looking at him malevolently.] I suppose I may have 
enough to eat in my own house, sir? {Pushes away every- 
thing from him.] Finished. 

[ Turns chair from table, throws himself back, 
folds his arms and crosses legs. 

Cecil. 
[Smiling.'\ Don't take everything I say amiss. 

Sir John. 
I'd have you know I never take anything amiss. Ha ! 
Amiss. That's a nice way to talk ! {Drums his fingers 
on the table ; then looks at sideboard.] Ulrica, a slice of that 
ham, between two thin pieces of bread, if you please. 
[Ulrica rises, and goes to sideboard.] Amiss! I come 
mto this room to begin a new day in a life we live but 
once, and I find what? The whole room fiWe^— filled 
with wreaths. From whom? Jacobson ! Mr. Isaac 
Jacobson ! 

Cecil. 
Sir Isaac, father. 



28 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
No, sir — Mr. he was born, and Mr. he'll always be to 
me. We have been baronets for generations. My father 
was bom Sir John-— y(>«^ father was born Sir John — birth, 
sir, birth. That is what counts — or should count — in the 
world. Birth. The majesty of birth ! [ Takes up " l^he 
Times" ; hands it to Ulrica.] Have the kindness to 
read that, if you please. 

Ulrica. 
\^Takes the paper from him, looks at it.'] Where, father.^ 

Sir John. 

There— there — there \^Hitting paper with knife 

handle.^ Where my thumb was. 

Ulrica. 
\^Reads.'] "To the Editor of The Times: Sir: It is a 
matter of the deepest pain and regret to me to see amongst 
those selected by the Liberal Government as deserving 
the dignity of a title the name of one who, by birth, race 
and religion, is rabidly opposed to the best interests of 
this great Empire. The Majesty of Birth has ever been 
the watchword of the Conservative party. It is indeed a 
sorry day for England when self-seeking shopkeepers ob- 
tain seats on the Liberal benches of the House of Com- 
mons, and in recognition of their support have titles con- 
ferred upon them. Believe me to be your obedient serv- 
ant, John Cotswold, Baronet." 

Sir John. 
\_Very pieased.] Ha! Let Mr. Jacobson digest that 
with his bacon and eggs this morning. 

\\]\.^\CA passes sandwich to SiR JOHN. 

Cecil. 
\^0n the point of eating, stops.'] Bacon, fatlier ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 29 

Sir John. 
Yes, sir, bacon and pork. How do we know what he 
eats when he's in private ? 

Cecil. 
{Good-humoredly .\ At any rate your letter does not 
apply at all to Sir Isaac. He's a splendid type of man. 

Margaret. 

{Trying to check hini.'] Now, Cecil. 

Sir John. 
Go on, my boy, say it. I'm a fool ! Your father's a 
har and a fool. 

Cecil. 
I'll not say another word. 

Margaret. 
I don't think your father slept well, dear. 

Sir John. 
Slept well.'* I never slept at all. Just as I was drop- 
j)ing off into a doze I was roused with the most infernal 
row right under my window. At first I thought it was a 
riot. Or a fire. What was it? My son escorted home 
by a howling mob. 

Cecil. 
Just a few of my fellow students who'd been to hear me 
sing ; that was all. 

Sir John. 
All? A/i ? I suppose the whole of the Hebrew aris- 
tocracy next door were on the balcony to greet you ? 

Cecil. 
They were, father. The ladies excitedly waving their 
handkerchiefs. 



30 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
[Laughs hoarsely.'] Ladies ! Ha ! The Lady Rebecca 
airing her high born bosom in the night air for a mob to 
stare at. 

Margaret. 
[Reprovingly. "] John! 

Sir John. 
Well? 

Margaret. 
[Indicaiing Ulrica with both hands. ^ My dear ! 

Sir John. 
Eh ? Oh, I beg your pardon, Ulrica. 

Cecil. 
\Chaffingly to Sir John.] Remember — the Majesty of 
Birth ! 

Sir John. 
How dare you ? 

Ulrica. 
The Jacobsons seemed delighted with Cecil's success. 

Sir John. 
I'd rather he'd make a failure. 

Cecil. 
Thank you. 

Sir John. 
I shall never reconcile myself to the idea that a Cots- 
wold, the last of his race — must humbly and delightedly 
bow to every cobbler's apprentice who had paid sixpence 
to hear him sing indifferent music. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 31 

Cecil. 
Indifferent ! Mozart I 

Sm John. 
WcU. then, to hear him sing good music indifferently 
—if you prefer it. \To MARGARET. Ulrica drinks cof- 
fee ^ That in my worthless opinion, sir, is a degradation 
la damn degradation I beg your pardon, Ulrica. 

Cecil. 
May I say one word ? 

Sir John. 
You just promised you wouldn't. But go on. The 
father may not be heard— but the son must be. ,.^ <>»• 
Out with it, out with it, out with it. [ptts back, 

Cecil. 
I stayed away all these years because I didn't care to 
come back home until I had succeeded. 

Sir John. 
Ah! 

Cecil. 
Well, I have succeeded. 

Sir John. 
Exactly. 

Cecil. 

Read the newspapers this morning ? 

Sir John. 
I never read the newspapers. 
Cecil. 
Except The Times. 



32 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
The limes isn't a newspaper. It is a dignified guider 
of public opinion ; a broom that sweeps the country clean, 
sir. That's what The Times is, sir, a broom, sir. 

\_Eats sandwich. 

Cecil. 
Well, even The Times treats me generously. Read 
what it says. [Sir John takes "The Times " and fiings it 
across the room. Cecil looks at Margaret and Ulrica ; 
they give him imploring glances not to anger Sir John.] 
On all sides I have been treated courteously, congratu- 
lated, feted, encouraged. Until 1 come home — until I 
meet my father. 

Sir John. 
[Calmly.'] My boy — out with it. Say it. I'm a fool, 
your father's a fool. 

Cecil. 

[jumping up.] Oh, if you can't be reasonable 

[Margaret puts her hand on his arm. 

Sir John. 
[7f7 Margaret.] You hear that .? [r^ Ulrica.] You 
see, my child ? 

Cecil. 
For heaven's sake, father, don't let us quarrel the 
first day I'm home. I have to earn my living. We're 
poor 

Sir John. 
Ha ! Now he throws my poverty in my face ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 33 

Cecil. 
\_Sits ; then speaks.~\ No, 1 don't. 1 sympathize with 
you. 

Sir John 
1 don't want your sympathy. 

Ckcil. 
I'm going to relieve your poverty. 

SiK John. 
You, sir.-* ReUeve me/ How dare you! 

Cecil. 
Last night's success puts me at the top of the ladder. 

Sir John. 
Well, I hope you fall off ! 

Cecil. 
Now that I have succeeded, won't you try and see at 
least a little with my eyes ? 

Sir John. 
No, sir, I will not. I've used my own for a great 
number of years and I'm perfectly satisfied with them, 

Cecil. 
[Laughing.~\ Oh, come, come, father, bury the hatchet. 
Let me sing without your antagonism. 

Sir John. 
Never, sir! Never! Sing? As a living ? As a serv- 
ant ? No, sir. If you must sing, do it in a choir or in a 
social way for your equals. Not for a lot of ragamuffins 
whose shillings go to pay your miserable salary. 

[Drm^s coffee. 



34 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
[^Rises, crosses to c, picks up ''The Times'' ; hotly. '\ 
Very well, if you won't give me your sanction, I'll go on 
singing without it. And for all the money I can earn. 
From any one. Yes, sir — any one. Even the Jacob- 
sons. I sing there on Sunday night — next door — and for 
a fee — a professional engagement ! 

Ulrica. 
[^Reproachfully.'] Cecil ! 

Sir John. 
[Rising, trembling with rage, tiirns to Cecil.] You 
shall not, sir. You shall not enter that man's house. 

Cecil. 
Why not? Just because he's 

Sir John. 
A Jew, sir — a damned [Distinct look from Mar- 
garet and Ulrica.] I beg your pardon, Ulrica. 

Cecil. 
But what a Jew .' 

Sir John. 
A knighted one — the more disgrace to this miserable 
government. 

Cecil. 
At least give him some credit for his achievements ! 

Sir John. 
What achievements ? Beyond making money ? And 
all his race do that. 

Cecil. 
Think what he's done for the poor, the struggling ! 
The ambitious ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 35 

Sir John. 
Show. All done for show. To hide his money-mak- 
ing. To sneak a title. 

Cecil. 
He has no need to do that; Sir Isaac's a genius. A 
financial genius. 

Sir John. 
Genius ! Pah ! What has genius to do with birth, sir? 

Cecil. 
I quite agree with you. 

Margaret. 
Really, Sir Isaac is not so very dreadful. 

Sir John. 
ITuming quickly on her.'\ Are you going to begin too ? 
Have you forgotten what that tribe has done for us ? 

Cecil. 
Now, father ! I 

Sir John. 
Silence ! His father had the smallest hovel on the 
Cotswold estate. He made chairs that came to pieces 
directly you sat in them. Paid his rent when he could 
and lived like a rat in a hole. Now— now— forsooth my 
Lady Rebecca sits in state in real chairs next door to us. 
Her precious husband practically owns the estate and we 
pay him rent— sometimes. Rent for our own property ! 
Schah ! I could tear them to pieces. Jacobson, indeed ! 
Jacobson ! [^Crosses down l. 

Cecil. 
This is pure race hatred. 



36 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
[^Coming back c] It is. I do hate 'em — root and 
branch. 

Cecil. 
His daughter, too 1 

Sir John. 
[Tumiptg to him.'] No, sir. Not liis daughter, too. 
She's different. 1 don't beheve she's liis daughter at all. 

Margaret. 
'^At table, shocked, incite a tmg- Ulrica.'] John! 

Sir John. 
[To Ulrica.] I beg your pardon. What I meant was 
there's nothing of the Old Testament about Esther— ex- 
cept her name. But her father— see — Cecil — if you dare 
cross their threshold — out of my house you go bag and 
baggage, and good riddance, too ! 

Cecil. 
[yumps up, turns to door.] I'll take you at your word. 
I go to an hotel to-night. 

Margaret. 
Oh, no ! 

Ulrica. 
You mustn't, Cecil. {Turns to Sir John.] Father, ask 
him to stay here. Make him welcome. He's been away 
so long. 

Sir John. 
Let him learn to obey me — to respect me 

Cecil. 
{Up by door.] That I will do better by keeping away 
fiom you. {Opening door.] Good-morning. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 37 

Ulrica. 
{^Followin^ him.'] Cecil. Don'l go. For my sake — 
stay ! 

Cecil. 
[^Ai door. In an undertone to her.'] 1 must. I've a re- 
hearsal of " Hoffman " in half an hour. Perhaps a Uttle 
later I'll come back — when he's cooled down. 

\_Exii, c. 

Margaret. 
^Putting- her hand on Sir John's arni?^ John, don't let 
him go hke that ! 

Sir John. 
Don't do that, my dear. I dishke it very much. \Goe!, 
to door ; calls after him.] Cecil! Cecil! A word— if you 

please Here! \^\^ ]ow'ii moves down \.. of couch ; 

Cecil appears in door.] Do not let us enter into this dis- 
cussion with a spirit of acrimony. S^Looks ; sees C¥.Q\\^ is 

not beside him, turns to door.] Here-— here — here- 

[Cecil comes down to Sir John.] We mustn't be hasty, 

my boy — we mustn't be hasty. You — that is I 

What was I going to say ? [^Remembers.] Of course. 
You really wish to continue to — to sing — eh ? 

Cecil. 
Continue! As long as there's a cobbler's apprentice 
left with sixpence to hear me, I'll sing. Good-morning. 

l^Exit, c. 

Sir John. 
Ha! There's a son! There's obedience. [Vining 
enters with trav, collects breakfast things and exits c] 
You see. my dear; that's the rising generation. Upon 
my word ! I wonder what my father would have said if 
I had dared \ Looks around; takes cigar from his 



38 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

casgA Ulrica, come here. [Ulrica goes to Aim.'] Tell 
me frankly. Word of honor. Never mind what the 
others say. They don't matter that [Snaps his fin- 
gers.'] Is Cecil any good ? Eh ? Out with it ! 

Ulrica. 
[^IVarm/y.] I never heard any one sing Uke him. 

[Clasping her hands. 

Sir John. 
That might mean anything 1 Good or bad? 

Ulrica. 
He's magnificent ! 

Sir John. 
[Disappointed, yet half pleased.] Do you really think 
so, eh ? 

Ulrica. 
I do. 

Sir John. 
[Moves restlessly a pace or two ; stops.] Ulrica ! Get 
three seats for to-morrow night. 

Ulrica. 
VJoyfully : turns.] Father! 

Sir John. 
But in as dark a box as possible. I don't want to be 
seen, mind. 

Ulrica. 
[Turns to Margaret, who is at sideboard 7\ Mother! 
We're going to the opera to-morrow night to hear Cecil. 

Margaret. 
W^^dear? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 39 

Ulrica. 
Father is going too. 

Margaret. 
[Comes C, tears in her eyes.] Oh, John ! 

Sir John. 
[Goes c. io her; sharply. '\ What's the matter? 

Margaret. 
You've forgiven Cecil? 

Sir John. 
No I've not. I'll wait until I hear him sing first. 
That may be harder to forgive than his disobedience 
\ Turns uP R-l Where are the matches? Where are the 
matches ? \He goes to writing-table and sideboard at back; 
knocks all papers off peevishly. Margaret W«/. 
sideboard, Ulrica to fender seat ; finds matches.] i- ot 
goodness' sake, tell Vining to leave them ^^^<^f .t^^>'/^^' 
be seen [Comes down c. Ulrica brings matches to htm, 
c. He takes them from her.] Thank you. my dear. 

Margaret. 
[At door, to Ulrica.] Come. dear. 

Sir John. 
[Strikes match.'] Ulrica! 

Ulrica. 
Yes, father. [Slu gee. to him. 

Sir John. 
You think the rascal has something in him besides 
cheek? ^Lighting cigar.] Eh? 
Ulrica. 
He's among the finest singers in the world. 



40 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
Dear me ! [^Puffs out smoke.'] That'll do. {^Hands hcf 
the burned match and box ; she puts it on small table and 
Margaret and Ulrica exeunt c. Sir John moves 
about down R., then overi.., sniokmg his cigar savagely. 
Sees flower on floor, L. ; picks it up and puts it on table ; 
dusts hands.] Sir Isaac ! The damned Hebrew ! And 
my son to sing for him, to — to ^Stops in front of paint- 
ing of Lord Beaconsfteld.] Benjamin Disraeli, Lord 
Beaconsfield. Another Jew. They even penetrate into 
our government. Out of this room he goes. To the 
garret. [Alovhtg about.] Sir Isaac ! [^Picks ufi book from 
piano.] " Children of the Ghetto," by Israel Zangwill. 
Damn "The Ghetto." [//urls it across the room.] My 
son a singer. A tramp bawling songs in the street his 
equal! \Tums to the piano ; picks up music and reads.] 
Prelude by Rubenstein. Rubenstein ! Another of them. 
[^Flings it at door R. Sees the picture of the pugilist on 
piano, looks at it through his eye-glass.] What in the 
name of all that is horrible is this? \_Reads^^ "To my 
pupil — Mr. Cotswold, from the heavy-weight champion 
of England, Jake Blumenthal.V {Throws it doivn and 

stamps on it.] Put there to annoy me. To — t-to 

{Enter Vi'nitiG, c, with card on salver. Sir John, tu7-n- 
ing, sees him, screatns at him.] What do you want? 
Can't you make a noise when you come in ? Don't creep 
about like a cat. What do you want? 

ViNING. 

[Frightened.] A gentleman to see Mr. Cecil, Sir John. 

Sir John. 
A gentleman ? You surprise me. Who is he ? 
{Snatches the card from salver and reads it.] " Mr. Walter 
Lewis." Lewis! Lewis! I wonder if he's a Jew. I 
wonder! Well, don't stand staring there. Show him in, 
and then tell Mr. Cecil. [Vining exits c] I suppose 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 41 

he's a Hebrew — must be with a name hke that. \ Crosses 
to fire] Nothing but Hebrews around me. \Goes to sit 
on fender seat ; sits on cigarette box, picks it up. '\ Moses 
and Gluckstein. Moses and Gluckstein ! 

[Throws it into the fireplace ; stands glaring sav- 
agely. Enter Vining, c. 

ViNlNG. 

Mr. Lewis. 

\^Enter Lewis and exit Vining. Walter Lewis 
is a genial, somewhat common musical agent, 
aggressive in manner, loud in attire. He has 
slightly Hebraic features and accent. He puts 
silk hat on small table by door, walks well into 
the room over R., humming an operatic air and 
smiling in a confident, self-satisfied manner. 

Sir John. 
\^Accusingly.^ You're a Jew, sir. 

Lewis. 
[/// absolute astonishment, surprised into a slight Jewish 
intonation.'] I beg your pardon. I'm a Presbyterian. 

Sir John. 
Then there must have been a mistake at your baptism. 

Lewis. 
Well, upon my 

Sir John. 
You wish to speak to my son ? 

Lewis. 
Mr. Cecil, yes; but — have I the honor of addressing 
Sir John Cotswold ? 

Sir John.. 
You have, sir ! 



42 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Lewis. 
\Effusively holding out his hand.'] Delighted. My 
warmest and heartiest congratulations. 

Sir John. 

{^Drawing back and looking indignantly.] Congratula- 
tions? For what, sir? 

Lewis. 
Your son — last night ! {^Kisses his fingers.] Superb ! 
Weren't you there ? 

Sir John. 
No, I was not. 

Lewis. 
No, really? He's the operatic idol of the hour. The 
papers this morning ! Oh, the papers! full of him. Ab- 
solutely full ! 

[ Taking out press cuttings. 

Sir John. 
Ha! 

Lewis. 
Columns of praise ! Columns ! 

Sir John. 
I'm damn sorry to hear it ! 

Lewis. 
{^Horrified:] Sir? 

Sir John, 
I say, I'm damn sorry. Isn't that plain, sir? Damn 
sorry. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 43 

Lewis. 

Well, upon my 

[EnUr Cecil ; sees Lewis ; is annoyed at his 
being there. 

Cecil. 
\Coming down to Lewis.] Why, Lewis, I told you yes- 
terday I'd call at your hotel this morning. 

Lewis. 
I couldn't wait. I positively couldn't wait. {^Pulling 
out press cuttings.^ Have you seen those 1 Have you 
seen them .'' 

Cecil. 
\^Impatientiy.'] Yes, yes, I've seen them. 

Lewis. 
Your fortune's made. Absolutely made. I've a cable 
from America this morning — from Hammerstein. 

\PuUing out cable. 

Sir John. 
Hammerstein ! Another of 'em. 

Cecil. 
What do they say ? You'll excuse us, father? 

Sir John. 
Oh, pray don't mind me in the least. Besides, I can 
leave the room. [Going up c. 

Lewis. 
[Crosses over to him, seizing Sir John by the ann.'l No, 
Sir John — no. Not until you've heard my news. You'll 
be delighted ! positively delighted. 

[Puts his right hand on Sir John's left arm. 



44 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
{^ReUasing himself. '\ Don't paw me, sir. \_Pau:ies ; sits.^ 
What is your news,'* 

\^Dusts his sleeve where Lewis touched him. 

Lewis. 
\_Undertone to Cecil.] Remarkable man, your father. 
Positively remarkable. Gentleman every inch. 

[ Getting cable out of pocket. 

Sir John. 
Dreadful fellow. All hands ! And such hands ! Ha ! 
My son's new friends. 

Lewis. 
[ Reading cable.] Here we are. " Forty evenings — 
one hundred pounds. Hammerstein." 

Cecil. 
\^Smiling.'] That's very good. 

Lewis. 
Good."* Good? Why, it's ridiculous. I won't do it 
under two hundred. 

Cecil. 
[^Laughingly.'] F<?« won't do it ? Capital! 

Sir John. 
Well, sir, your news — your news. What is it ^ 

Cecil. 
I have an offer to go to America. 

Lewis. 
Yes, Sir John. He's had an offer — through me — to go 
to America. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 45 

Sir John. 
What? One moment— Mr.— Mr. 

Lewis. 
Lewis, Sir John. 

Sir John. 
[ To Cecil.] You are going to America ? 

Lewis. 
Well, no. On the whole he won't go. [^Protest from 
Cecil.] At least not on these terms. 

{^Tapping the cable. 

Sir John. 
And I only hear of this now and from a stranger. 

Cecil. 
These are only the preliminary negotiations, father. 

Lewis. 
Negotiations ? Nothing of the kind. You have only 
to say "Yes," and it's all arranged. But you won't. 
Oh, no. Not at that figure. We'll ask two hundred 
pounds for forty evenings, and we'll get it. 

Sir John. 
'♦ We " ? Are you going to sing with my son, sir ? 

[Cecil turns away laughing. 

Lewis. 
{Roars with laughter.'] Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha! 
Me sing? Splendid. Dehcious. Ho, hoho! 

Sir John. 
\Furiously.'\ Stop that noise, sir. Stop it ! [Lewis 
stops laughing.'] Do I understand that my son is to get 
two hundred pounds for forty evenings' singing ? 



46 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Lewis. 
[c. , roars louder than ever with laughter J\ Better and 
better. \Crosses to Sir John ; accents each 'word.~\ Per 
performance, Sir John. Two hundred pounds per per- 
formance. [ Taps Sir John on shoulder. 

Sir John. 
[Springing up savagely. ~\ How dare you touch me, sir ? 
Keep your hands off me. And don't shout, sir ; I'm not 
deaf. 

Lewis. 
[^Holding his sides.'] Oh, that's too rich. You'll be the 
death of me. You will, indeed. \_Wiping his eyes.'] I'll 
tell you what. I'll write my answer to this here. Have 
you a writing table? [Looking around.] Ah, here we 
are! \_As he goes up.] You'll be the death of me. Not 
deaf ! Splendid ! Delicious ! 

\Still laughing, he sits down and hurriedly writes. 

Sir John. 
Turns my morning room into an office. [To Cecil.] 
Who is this creature ? 

Cecil. 
He's my agent, father. 

Sir John. 
Agent ? A music-hall agent in my house ^ 

Cecil. 
No, no. Not music-hall — operatic. He is the manag- 
ing partner of Lewis, Lewis and Epstein. 

Sir John. 
Epstein ! Another of 'em. I'm making a collection of 
steins. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 47 

Lewis. 
\_Coming down l. ^ Cecil.] How's this? \_Reads.'\ 
" In spite of my persuasion Cotswold insists on two hun- 
dred pounds — immense success last night — advise to close 
at once. Lewis." There we are. How's that.'' 

Sir John. 
'• In spite of my persuasion." The fellow hes by tele- 
graph. 

Lewis. 
I'll telephone this at once to the cable office. Where 
is your telephone, Sir John ? 

[^Looking around room. 

Sir John. 
I have no telephone, sir, and thank God for it. 

Lewis. 
All right. I'll run into Jacobson's — I should say Sir 
Isaac's — next door. [Starting toward door c. 

Sir John. 
Ha, you know him, do you ? 

Lewis. 
\Coming back to c] Sir Isaac ? Know him ? I should 
say so. Intimately. In musical matters he does nothing 
without me. He's a wonder. Do you visit next door. 
Sir John ? 

Sir John. 
No, sir, I do not ! 

Lewis. 
Really? Oh, but you should. [72> Cecil.] Take your 
lather in on Sunday. 



48 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
What? 

[^Door opens and Margaret and Ulrica enter. 
Margaret has work-basket ; Ulrica <r«rr/W 
roli of manuscript. Margaret goes to l. of 
table and chair. 

Cecil. 

[/« undertone to Lewis.] Shut up, Lewis, \_tioing to door 
c, meets Margaret and Ulrica. Be stops and intro- 
duces Lewls.] Mr. Lewis — my mother and sister. 

Lewis. 
Charmed! Charmed, indeed. [ 71:; Ulrica.] Do you 
sing, too? 

[Cecil opens door and stands waiting. 

Ulrica. 
[Smi/ing.'] I'm sorry, no. 

Sir John. 
Thank heaven for that. He'd want to send you to 
AustraUa. 

Lewis. 
Well, they give splendid terms in Austraha — splendid. 

Sir John. 
Then pray cable them a lie, too. 

Cecil. 
Come, Lewis. [/« doorway. 

Lewis. 
Ladies — Sir John — a pleasure to have met you. Hope 
we shall meet again, and soon. How about a little sup- 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 49 

per to-morrow night after " Faust," eh ? Suppose we all 
go to the Savoy ? All of us? 

[Sir John throws up his hands and collapses on 
the Chesterfield. 

Cecil. 
Come along. 

Lewis. 
Well — good-day. \^Pauses in door.] Magnificent pres- 
ence, your sister. What a Mimi in " Boheme." 

Cecil. 
Don't talk rot. 

[Pushes Lewis out c, and follows him, closing the 
doors after him. Margaret, ivith her work, 
sits L. of table. Ulrica goes to writing table 
up K., and reads the manuscript. 

Sir John. 
\^Rises. Beside himself with rage.'] The impudent 
blackguard. Supper ! At the Savoy ! All of us ! An 
agent — a servant! Now you see. This is the type of 
creature my son associates with. Lewis, Lewis and Ep- 
stein. Epstein ! He'll call next [to Margaret] and 
make you an offer. Suppose any of our old friends were 
calling and met him here, what would they say ? Suppose 
for example Captain Trevor came back suddenly from 
India, and ran in to see Ulrica and found us hobnobbing 
with that ! 

LTlrica. 
Captain Trevor? Captain Trevor has been in London 
for weeks. 

Sir John. 
What? For weeks? How do you know ? 



60 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOB 

Ulrica. 
Esther Jacobson told me. 

Sir John. 
Esther ? How did she know ? 

Ulrica. 
He is visiting them now. 

Sir John. 
Visiting them ! Them? Why hasn't he been here ? 

Ulrica. 
Father, why shouldn't we face the truth ? Why should 
anyone visit us? We're poor. That's the reason, and 
we may as well recognize it. 

Sir John. 
Rubbish. Poor ! I am — yes. Well, my own fault. 
I know it — your mother is. Her fault — for marrying me. 

But you [^Comes to her.'] You're not poor. You 

have your aunt's little fortune. Aha! I've never al- 
lowed you to touch a penny of it. [Ulrica a«^ Mar- 
garet exchange glances.] See what it is to have a firm 
father. So, my dear, if ever the final wreck comes, you 
at least will be safe. Trevor knew it. Asked about it. 

Ulrica. 
\Smiling.'^ Perhaps he despised poor auntie* s hundreds. 
Maybe milhons beckon him. 

Sir John. 
Milhons ? What millions ? Whose millions ? 

Ulrica. 
Next door. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOB 51 

Sir John. 
What? That [Swallows the word,"] I don't be- 
lieve it ! 

Ulrica. 
It's true. Esther told me. 

Sir John. 
Esther ? He is paying court to her? 

Ulrica. 
INods.'l For weeks past. 

Sir John. 

The puppy. The contemptible puppy. The — the 

[Breaks off; looks at Ulrica, sqftem ; goes to her ,- quite 
gently.l My dear— does it— does it — hurt you ? 

[Hand on her arm. 

Ulrica. 
No. On the contrary, I'm glad. 

Sir John. 
[One hand on each <?/" Ulrica's arms, looking intently 
at her.'] My poor Ulrica. My poor Ulrica. My misfor- 
tunes have hit you hardest of all. 

Ulrica. 
Don't say that, father. I'm happy now. 

Sir John. 
Are you 1 

Ulrica. 
Now Cecil is home. If you'll let him stay home. 



52 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 

\Change of manner ; irritable again, \ Schish ! Let him 

go his own way. But — this — Trevor — and Esther 

She allows him 

Ulrica. 
No, she hates him as much as 1 did. But her mother 
encourages him. 

Sir John. 
Ho! Rebecca! Lady Rebecca! \Goes to fireplace ; 
angrily throws cigar away?;^ They would purchase a hus- 
band for their daughter as they did their clothes a year 
or two ago — at second hand. Second hand, by God. 

The knaves— the — the [^Enier ViNiNG, with letter 

and telegram.'] Well, what do you want? 

\'lNINCi. 

A telegram— and a letter brought by hand, Sir John. 

Sir John. 

[Snatches them.] That will do. [Vining exits. Sir 
John, putting in his glass.] Who telegraphs to me ? 
[Looks at the envelope.] Miss Cotswold. For you, Ulrica I 

Ulrica. 
[Takes it.] Thank you. You'll excuse me? 

Sir John. 
Open it. See what's in it. 

Ulrica. 
[By couch : opens it and reads it.] Adrian. 

[Blushes crimson. 

Sir John. 
Well? Who is it from? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DUOR 53 

Ulrica. 
{^Hesitating.^ No one. 

Sir John. 
No one ? What does it say ? 

Ulrica. 
Nothing. 

Sir John. 
[^Driiy.'] What a remarkable telegram — from no one 
with nothing in it. Let me look at it. 

Ulrica. 
No, father, please. [^Putting it behind her. 

Sir John. 
Give it to me. 

Ulrica. 
I can't. 

Sir John, 
Ulrica ! 

Ulrica. 
Don't ask me to do that, father— please. 

Sir John. 
I want that telegram. At once ! \^Pause.'\ Do you 
hear me ? \^Pause.'\ Give it me. 

Ulrica. 
{^Resolutely. ^^ I will not ! 

Sir John. 
lAghini.-] What.? 



54 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 
I — will — not ! [Sir John goes to her to snatch it from 
her; Ulrica tears it in pieces.'] You shall not read it ! 

Margaret. 
{Coming to front of table.'] My dear 

Ulrica. 
Oh, I've put up with all these cruel, petty humiliations 
long enough ! \_To Sir John.] You gave me no hberty — 
no happiness — no friends — you even drive my brother 
away from me — but this last cruelty — I'll not submit to 
it ! I'm wretched ! Wretched ! Wretched ! 

Sir John. 
{Amazed.'] Ulrica ! 

Ulrica. 
{Almost hysterical.] It's from the only person who's 
shown me the least kindness or consideration, and you 
would keep us apart if you knew. He's coming back 
to-day. This was to tell me. It was to — to 

Sir John, 
Who is he? 

Ulrica. 
I won't tell you! You'd treat him as you do every- 
thing and every one I've ever cared for. You'd drive 
him away from me. I — 1 — wish I were dead ! I wish 
I were dead ! 

{Sobs as if her heart would break and sinks down 
on sofa, her head on left arm of sofa. Mar- 
garet ^<7« to her, back of sofa, and bends over 
her. 

Sir John. 
Now, my dear, leave her to me. {Bends over Ulrica.] 



THE MOUSE NEXT DOOR 66 

Come, come, don't cry ! Don't cry ! There, there, 
there! You shall do just what you hke. [^Patting her. 
Ulrica sobs bitterly all through this scene. "^ Sssh ! Sssh ! 
Don't do that. \Turns to Margaret.] Why do women 
cry ? Ulrica, my dear, stop, stop ! I 11 buy you some- 
thing next time I go out. Word of honor, I will. Rib- 
bons — or a bonnet. See ? Sssh ! Remind me to ask 
you for the money. There, there, there, there ! \She 
cries more quietly. '\ That's better. All over, eh ? That's 
better. [Sir John strokes Ulrica's hair and kisses her.'\ 
That's right — never again. Never again. [Margaret 
approaches as if to caress her.'] All right, my dear, leave 
her to me. [Margaret crosses back to l. oJ table l.] All 

right, eh ? Good ! Now [Suddenly sees the letter in 

his hand.] Ah ! I'll read you my letter. Eh ? Of course 
I will. Certainly I will. {Fixing in his glass, opens en- 
velope and picks out a one hundred pound Bank of Eng- 
land note.] What's this? One hundred pounds. Who 
dares to send me money ? \Looks at enveloped] Mr. 
Cecil Cotswold. Oh, it's for Cecil, is it? Who sends 
Cecil money ? [Looks closely at letter.] What atrocious 
handwriting. [Looks down at the signature.] Jacobson ! 
[Ulrica looks up wiping her eyes and controlling herself^ 
J acobson sends my son money ? Well 

Margaret. 
Why does he send Cecil money, John ? 

Sir John. 
[Mumbles through the letter.] The dog ! This is the 
last word. The last ! 

Margaret. 
What does he want, John ? 

Sir John. 
It's infamous ! Infamous ! 



66 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
But what does he say ? 

Sir John. 
That tinkering, money -hoarding wretch dares to offer 
this — [holding up note] to a Cots wold. 

Margaret. 
Let me read it, John. {^Reaches out for letter. 

Sir John. 
Don't touch it. Don't pollute yourself. 

Margaret. 
But we'd really Uke to know 

Sir John. 
And you shall know. That stock-jobber hires your son 
— hires, mind — for one hundred pounds to sing to liim 
after his dinner on Sunday night. \_Flino^s the letter and 
the bank-note down on the table and wipes liisfitigers with 
his handkerchief. Margaret /zW'^ /// letter and reads 
it.'] How dare he ! The mongrel ! How dare he ! 

Margaret. 
It's a very polite invitation. 

Sir John. 
It's an outrage. Finish it. 

Margaret. 
^Reads it aloud.] " We should esteem it a favor if you 
would delight our guests and ourselves with your glorious 
art." 

Sir John. 
And then — without another word — to enclose that. 

[Points to bank-note.] It's bitter — bitter. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 57 

Margaret. 
That certainly was tactless. 

Sir John. 
Tactless ? It's — it's— there's no word strong enough to 
characterize it. Hired like a juggler for the amusement 
of his grinning guests. [^Crosses io belL'\ Not while I'm 
alive. I've yet to see the day when I'll permit a son of 
mine to fall so low. Paid in advance. The price of his 
shame. \_Enter Vining at door c] Vining, my coat, my 

hat, my gloves, my cane — at once 

\Exit Vining, c. 

Margaret. 
John ! 

Ulrica. 
\^Rises.'\ Father! 

Margaret. 
Surely, you're not 



Sir John. 
I'm going to fling — that— [/^^/«/m^ to note] in his face 
— the damn chair-maker. 

Margaret. 
[Aiarmed.'] Oh, John ! 

Ulrica. 
Father, please ! 

Sir John. 

What are you frightened about.-* That I'll fight him ? 

Me? I wouldn't soil my hands on him. Although a 

horsewhip should be the only answer to that. [^Pointing 

to tetter. ViNiNG enters C, with coat, hat, gtoves and 



58 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

cane. SiR JOHN goes up; lakes off dressing-gown and 
throws it over ViNiNG's arm.A^ Come along, Vining. 
Don't be all day. 

Vining. 
\^As he assists to dress hint.'] You're going out, Sir 
John? 

Sir John. 
\Sarcasticaliy.'\ No, Vining, I'm going to wear these 
in the house. Of course I'm going out. 

Vining. 
[^Gtves g/oves.] So early ? 

Sir John. 
Yes — so early ! Have you any objection ? 

Vining. 
But you usually read all the newspapers at this time 
every morning. 

Sir John. 
- Bah! 

Vining. 
And this morning they speak so well of Mr. Cecil. 

Sir John. 
Do they ? Well, you can throw them in the fire, Vin- 
ing. Throw them in the fire. 

Margaret. 
[^Anxiously.'] John ! Where are you going ? 

Sir John. 
First of all into the air or I'll suffocate, and then — 



[£0 
the 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 59 

oes to table and with his gloved hand takes t/ie tetter and 
€ bank-note and puts thein into the envelope and places it 
in his breast pocket'] and then — to give these the attention 
they demand. \_Dusts his fingers where he touched the 
letter, looks closely at the gloves.'] Hello ! 

[lakes gloves off, 

Ulrica. 
Father — please don't go next door. 

Sir John. 
And why not ? 

Ulrica. 
Because — you mustn't. 

Sir John. 
Mustn't! Indeed? You forbid your father, eh? 
Things have come to a pretty pass. Mustn't ! Ha ! 

Ulrica. 
If you have any consideration at all for me — for my 
happiness — don't go! 

Margaret. 
John — I beg you 

Sir John. 
Silence ! I shall do as I please. Kindly attend to 
your own business. Ah, yes. To be sure — Ulrica — 
you might give me some small change. [Ulrica takes 
coin from purse.] I must buy myself some new gloves. 
[Impatiently.] Come along, my dear, come along. 
[Takes the money.] Thank you. Just remember I owe 
you this. [Goes up. Gives Vl^iiHG the old gloves which 
he holds with his fingers far away from him.] Vining, put 



60 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

those in the fire. [^Takes hat and cane. To the ladies.'] 
Good-morning. 

[Passes out c, erect and dignified, followed by 

ViNiNG. Margaret sits in chain.., Ulrica 

is by piano, 'P^, end of couch. 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE. — The action passes in the drawing-room of Sir 
Isaac Jacobson's house. It is a massive ^ luxuriously 
furnished room. Everything conveys the impression of 
immense wealth and discerning taste y marred here ana 
there by certain outre feminine touches in the minor de- 
tails. There is a so lid y deeply-recessed door r., connect- 
ing with the dining-room. At back arches r. and l. 
stretch away to the remainder of the mansion. 

\^As curtain rises y Rebecca is seated on couch, c. 
Trevor is standing beside her. Lewis standing 
up R. with Maximilian, who has handed him a 
cigar and is lighting it. Esther is heard playing 
softly off I.. 

Rebecca. 
Tell me, dear Captain Trevor — isn't it dreadful in 
India? Amongst the blacks ? 

Trevor. 
Not at all, it's jolly ! 

Rebecca. 
But they are black, aren't they? 

Trevor. 
Very! 

Rebecca. 
Are you going to stay in England now ? 

Trevor. 
I'm afraid so ! 

61 



62 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Rkbecca. 
Well, you must take me over your barracks — will you ? 

Trevor, 
Delighted ! 

Rebecca. 
I've always loved the army — and soldiers. 

Trevor. 
Thank you ! 

Lewis. 
\Comes down.'] Now, that's what I call tobacco — 
try' one, Captain Trevor. [Maximilian takes cigar to 
Trevor.] You get nothing as good as that in your can- 
teen, I'll wager. [^Extt Maximilian.] Sir Isaac gets 
them straight from the importers — and the price — what 
do you think they cost per hundred ? 

[Lewis crosses to Trevor ; they talk and go up 
back, L. of settee. Lewis then works R. ; looks 
at picture. Trevor drops l. of table h. Enter 
Adrian. He comes doivn r. of couch. 

Adrian. 
Mother ! 

Rebecca. 
[^Rises, embraces him.] My dear boy ! 

Adrian. 
[Sits beside Rebecca on couch.] Where's father? 

Rebecca. 
He has son^e tiresome deputation or other in the Vic- 
torian room. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 63 

Adrian. 
And Esther ? 

Rebecca. 
The sweet child is playing in there. 

[^Indicating door l. 

Adrian. 
[Jumping up.^ I must see her ! 

Rebecca. 
[To Adrian.] You know Captain Trevor? 

Trevor. 
How d'ye do ? [Adrian bows coldly. 

Rebecca. 
And Mr. Lewis ? 

Adrian. 
[Crosses to h¥.\vis, K-l Hello, Lewis ! How's the mu- 
sical game going ? 

[Rebecca converses with Trevor. 

Trevor. 
Game! Art, sir ! Art! Flourishing! Never better! 
A new star burst on us last night and eclipsed all the 
others — Cecil Cotswold ! /found him. 

Adrian. 
Fancy old Cecil I Didn't think he had it in him ! 

Rebecca. 
Oh! He's a master, really a Maestro ! Adrian — he 
sings here on Sunday night at the musicale. 

Adrian. 
[7^7 Rebecca.] Here? Does he? What will Sir John 
say? 



64 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Lewis. 
[^Hurriedly taking Adrian down R. Rebecca turns to 
Trevor.] Don't mention Sir John's name, for goodness' 
sake — there's been such a fuss all through luncheon ! 
He's written a letter to The Times about Sir Isaac. 

Adrian. 
About father ? 

Lewis. 
Yes ! I haven't seen it myself but your mother is so 
upset, poor lady ! \_Looks at picture on wall, r.] By the 
way, that's a fine piece of work and no mistake — splen- 
did ! New, too, isn't it ? 

Adrian. 
{^Looking at it casimlly.'] New, you vandal ! That's 
early eighteenth century. [^Goes up; looks at it closely. '\ 
Mother ! Why ! That used to hang next door in the 
hall. {Goes anxiously down to her.'] Did Sir John sell 
that to father ? 

[Lewis makes signs to him not to speak. 

Rebecca. 
Your father bought it at Christie's with several other 
ohjets d art {ox a mere song — a mere song ! 

{Enter Esther from door l. Adrian meets her. 

Adrian. 
Esther ! 

[Esther meets Adrian at back of couch; they em- 
brace ; then give a glance at Trevor, go up to 
fireplace and talk ; then walk round to small table 
R., where they sit. Esther in armchair. She 
plays cards. Trevor crosses l. to sofa and 
takes up paper. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 65 

Rebecca. 
Mr. Lewis, have you prepared the programme for our 
festival on Sunday night? 

Lewis. 
[Approaching sofa.'] Well, rather ! And it will be a 
festival, I can tell you ! 

Rebecca. 
Captain Trevor, Mr. Lewis is the royal agent. Does 
all the command performances — for the King — at Sand- 
ringham and Buckingham Palace. Don't you, Mr. 
Lewis ? 

Lewis. 
I should say so ! [Tb Trevor, pointing to sleeve-links.'] 
Have you seen these, Captain Trevor? Have you seen 
them, Lady Isaac? [To Rebecca.] Will you excuse 
me? [Rebecca indicates assent and listens, crossing to 
Trevor.] See these, Captain Trevor ? Sent me by the 
late King — King Edward the Seventh. Oh, we were 
friends, very great friends ; he gave me them for what he 
called the very finest concert ever given to royalty. 

Trevor. 
Really? 

Lewis. 
See this pin ? [Pointing to the pin he is wearing.] From 
George ! 

Trevor. 
George ? 

Lewis. 
Yes, George — the present King. 



66 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Trevor. 
Oh, yes, of course. 

Lewis. 
Said it was the only time he ever heard Wagner really 
sung out of Germany. But the Emperor ! Emperor 
William of Germany ! There's a gentleman ! Sent me 
a cane with the head as big as that. \_Bi4siness.\ Solid 
gold! Would you Hke to see it, Captain? 

Trevor. 
Don't bother ! 

Lewis. 
No bother at all — got it down-stairs — never go a step 
without it. May I send for it, Lady Isaac ? 

Rebecca, 
Certainly, Mr. Lewis. 

Trevor. 
Please don't trouble. 

Lewis. 
Well, I'll show it to you as we go out — it's really a 
wonder — a wonder ! 

Rebecca. 
[^Slight movement toward Lewis.] Tell me, Mr. Lewis, 
who have you engaged for Sunday night ? 

Lewis. 
There'll be Sembrich, Zanatello, Pachmann — and Cecil 
Cotswold. He'll be the hit. Do you know him. Cap- 
tain? 

Trevor. 

[^[/ncomfortably.'] Vaguely ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 67 

Lewis. 
He is certainly a wonder. London's at his feet this 
morning. I never saw a success like it. 

Rebecca. 
I am very sorry for his sake that he should be the sun 
of so bitter and fooUsh an old man. 

Esther. 
Mother ! 

Adrian. 
Foolish ? 

Lewis. 
Oh, no. Lady Isaac! Sir John's all right. Met him 
for the first time this morning. Struck me as the type of 
man that'd grow on one. Quite a gentleman of the old 
school. 

Rebecca. 
Old school indeed ! Well, when I read his letter this 
morning in The Jiw^^— directed most undoubtedly at us 
—I made up my mind. I said to my husband, "We 
need his house." Cest imperatif! The Cotswolds 
must go ! [Adrian m«.] We can't have people on our 
estate who don't know their place. Eh, Captain Trevor? 

Trevor. 
Yes — that is — tx—no ! 

Lewis. 
Funny ! I see The Titnes every morning for the musical 
stuff, never saw that letter at all. Now I come to tliink 
of it. I don't beheve I ever have seen a letter in The 
Times. I don't think any one reads 'em except the 
people who wrote 'em. 



68 THE SOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Rebecca. 
Pardon ! We read the letters always ! [Lewis bow5.'\ 
The Cotsvvolds go next quarter-day. Absolutely! \_Turns 
to Trevor.] Don't you think I'm right, Captain Trevor? 

Trevor. 

Ah ! Certainly ! 

Adrian. 
ITurntn^ on Trevor disgustedly.'] What! I thought 
you were a friend of the Cotswolds? 

[Esther, as soon as Adrian speaks, stops playing 
cards and listens with interest to scene between 
Adrian and Trevor. 

Trevor. 
No. 

Adrian. 
You used to know them ? 

Trevor. 
Yes. 

Adrian. 
You accepted their hospitality ? 

Trevor. 
Partly. 

Adrian. 
And at one time were actually a suitor for Miss Cots- 
wold's hand ? 

Rebecca. 
[Movement of protest.'] Adrian I 

Adrian. 
[Angrily.'] Mother, please! [To Trevor.] Weren't 
you? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 69 

Trevor. 
{^Aforg andmorf! uncomfortable.'] Not altogether. 

Adrian. 
Yes, you were — altogether. Then, because they met 
with reverses, you discontinued calling. 

Rebecca. 
[^Rises; sits again.] My dear boy ! 

Adrian. 
Just a moment, mother, just a moment. [To Trevor.] 
Didn't you ? 

Trevor. 
I — a — went to India ! 

Adrian. 
Have you called there since you returned from India ? 

Trevor. 

A— no ! It would be particularly disagreeable to see 
the ruin of an old family, so I stayed away. 

Rebecca. 

^Hurriedly, turning to Trevor.] Very nice and deli- 
cate of you, Captain Trevor. Charming! 

Adrian. 

^Hotly, to Trevor.] And now you agree with my 
mother that Sir John and his family should be turned off 
the estate they have owned for generations. Do you 
think that's decent? 

Rebecca. 
[//urried/y.] Oh ! Oh ! Don't answer him, Captain 
Trevor. Don't answer him ! 



70 THE HOWE NEXT DOOB 

Adrian. 
{^Furiously. '\ He needn't answer! There is only one 
word for such conduct as his. And that word the pres- 
ence of my mother and sister prevents me from using. I 
shall be happy to use it at a more favorable opportunity. 

Trevor. 
Really ? 

Adrian. 

[^Looking him straight in the gye.'\ Yes, Mr. Trevor! 

Trevor. 
Sorry ! [Turns away and sits L. of tabic, L. 

Rebecca. 
Oh 1 Oh ! Your father shall hear of this. You bad, 
bad boy ! Wait until your father hears how you've be- 
haved. 

\Fanni7ig herself. Adrian goes down r. Re- 
becca turns to Trevor and snakes apologetic 
gesture. Through the arch from R., and down 
C, comes Sir Isaac Jacobson, a tall, slight, 
distinguished-looking vuin of from fifty to fifty- 
five. He has a quiet, masterful, diplomatic 
manner, a delicately ironic humor and a keenly 
observant eye. His whole atmosphere is one of 
conscious strength, masked by his subdued tones. 
He carries a coPy of ' ' The Times. 

Jacobson. 
[Comes down l. of Adrian, smiling with real pleasure 
as he sees his son.'] Well. Adrian ! 

[Adrian goes up to him. They shake hands 
w a roily. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 71 

Adrian. 



Father 



Jacobson. 
[Shaking hands with him and looking at him affection- 
ately and admiringly.'] The scholar-athlete ! I'm proud 
of you ! 

Rebecca. 
[Turning from Trevor.] You wouldn't have been, 
Isaac, if you'd been here a moment sooner. He behaved 
abominably. 

JACOBSON. 

[Looks at Rebecca, then turns to Adrian.] Did you? 

Adrian. 
Is it true that you are going to evict the Cotswolds ? 

Jacobson. 
Evict them ? Why should I ? 

Adrian. 
Because Sir John wrote a letter to The Times, and 
you've taken offence at it. 

Jacobson. 
On the contrary. Sir John's letter deserves some spe- 
cial recognition. It is altogether admirable in thought, 
in subject, and in Enghsh. 

Adrian. 
But mother says you're going to turn them out. 

Jacobson. 
Your mother must have misunderstood me. 



72 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOB 

Rebecca. 

\^Turning to Jacobson.] What? Misunderstood— \i 
they do not pay their rent 

Jacobson. 
They may not be in a position to do so just now. Un- 
til they are, they can stay just as long as ever they 
please. 

Rebecca. 
Isaac ! After his insult, in the public newspaper? 

Jacobson. 
He wrote nothing that is not absolutely true. "The 
Majesty of Birth " has been my battle-cry for years. 

Rebecca. 
\Funously.~\ Now once and for all, Isaac 

Jacobson. 
[Qutet/y and firmly.'] Not just now, dear. 

Lewis. 
I really must read that letter! I really must. You 
know, Lady Isaac, Sir John struck me this morning — I 
met him quite intimately, you understand — on his own 
hearth — he struck me as a particularly fine type of old 
buck. 

Adrian. 
[^Indignantiy^ Buck ? 

Esther. 
Buck! 

Rebecca. 
Buck! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 73 

Trevor. 



A— buck! 



Lewis. 
Proud as Lucifer ! A pretty well-developed temper— 
but a gentleman every inch ! 

Rebecca. 
{Sitting and fanning herself and gasping, ] Gentleman , 
indeed ! 

Trevor. 
[Rises / to JACOBSON.] Sir Isaac, your son has thought 
fit to say certain things in your absence that I feel it is 
only fair I should reply to now that you are here. I don t 
wish to be misjudged. 

jACOBSON. 

{Sitting settee L.] You may be sure of that, Trevor. 

Trevor. 
{Clearing his throat nervously. 'X Exactly ! At— a— one 
time— I was a— on a certain degree of intimacy with Sir 
John Cotswold ! 

JACOBSON. 

Yes? 

Trevor. 
Cecil and I were—a— in a measure— schoolmates. But 
I_a— found my visits particularly irksome owing to Sir 
John's extreme irritability and all that. In short— it was 
— a — difficult 

JACOBSON. 

Well ! 



74 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Trevor. 
Exactly ! Your son seemed to imply just now that my 
visits ceased because a — in a measure — that is to say — 
because Sir John had in short — met with reverses. 

Jacobson. 
[7<? Adrian.] Did you say that ? 

Adrian. 
[^Firmly. '\ 1 did. 

Jacobson. 
You have no right to offend any guest of mine. The 
fact that Captain Trevor is in my house is sufficient to 
ensure him courteous treatment from every one here. 

Adrian. 
IHoify.^ But 

Jacobson. 
[^Stops him, turns to Trevor.] My son wishes to apol- 
ogize to you. I add my apologies to his. 

Adrian. 
Father ! 

[Jacobson turns and gives stern, silencing look at 
Adrian. 

Trevor. 
{Very much embarrassed^^ Well — of course — what I 
meant to say was 

Jacobson. 
[^Jurning to Trevor.] The matter is closed — with my 
sincere regrets. 

[£"«/<?r Maximilian, r. arch. 



THE MOUSE NEXT DOOB 75 

Maximilian. 

The motor car, madam. Ar.„.*K, «vi » 

\^Exits. LEVf IS joins Adrian up R. 

Rebecca. 
\^umMnii ui>A C est Hen! Mr. Trevor! Esther! 
l^st^ard E^STHER.] We'll go for a nice, petite drive ! 

Trevor. 
Charmed ! 

Rebecca. 
Esther. 

Esther. 
You must excuse me, mother. My head ! 

Rebecca. 
Nonsense, child. The air will do you good. 

Esther. 
Not to-day. Please. 

Rebecca. 
r/>e'.x//Wv.] Esther! Isaac! Please-— - [7)/r«.. /^ 
1 ACOBSON.] The air ! Speak to her ! Make her g o ! 
•^ [Esther motions to Jacobson that she doesn t 

wish to go. 

Jacobson. 
{Drily. '\ Probably a rest would be better for her. 

Rebecca. 
\Anprilyr[ Of course ! My wishes count for nothmg ! 
Oh^ vfry well. {Goes up R. ./ couch ; meets Trevor at 
archK^ Come along. Captain Trevor! 

fEsTHim crosses to Jacobson. 7vho pats her cheek 
and motions her to door l. She exits. 



76 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Lewis. 
Which way are you going ? 

Rebecca. 
Oh ! To the Park, eh, Mr. Trevor ? 

Trevor. 
Capital ! 

Lewis. 
Well, just drop me at the corner of Park Lane, will 
you? 

Rebecca. 
Delighted ! [^Exit with Trevor. 

Lewis. 
[777 Jacobson.] I'm getting a few people for the Gold- 
bergs to-morrow. They've just moved into the Bark- 
shire" s old place. Know the Goldbergs ? 

Jacobson. 

No ! I do not ! 

Lewis. 
Oh, nice people — seem to grow on one — so to speak. 
They sent me these diamond studs for getting Violetta, 
the dancer, straight from Paris. Oh I I'm not wearing 
them to-day. Show 'em to you on Sunday. Oh, they're 
splendid people — made their money in oil — rolling in it ! 
In money — not oil! Ha, ha, ha ! I will have my little 
joke ! \_Shakes hands.'] They're making a splash with 
music, too — and pictures ! Ah ! What would become 
of art in England to-day — but for us Jews ? 

Jacobson. 
Us f {Looking at him, Lewis realizes and pulls him- 
self up.'] I thought you were a 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 77 

Lewis. 
[^Quickly.'] I am ! A Presbyterian ! But at heart I'm 

a Jew ! — 1 am realh at heart ! [^Exit r. arch, 

Adrian. 
\^PVith feeling.'] Father, you surely don't sanction what 
mother is doing ? 

Jacobson. 
What is your mother doing t 

Adrian. 
Forcing that fellow Trevor on Esther ! 

Jacobson. 
I'll not permit any one to be forced on Esther against 
her wishes. [ The " Hoffman ' ' music comes distinctly from 
I.., played on a deep-toned grand piano, with Esther 
humming ; they both listen. Jacobson, looking at doori.., 
listens and smile s.'\ Her head is better. 

Adrian. 
\(Jomes to R. of couch, after a pause through which the 
music comes very softly. '\ Please don't do anything to hurt 
or humiliate Sir John Cotswold. 

Jacobson. 
If by that you mean ejecting him, that I certainly will 
not do. Such a thought never entered my mind. 

Adrian. 
But mother said 

Jacobson. 
I didn't contradict her so as to avoid useless discussion. 
As for hurting and humihating Sir John Cotswold, that 
the British government has already done by honoring me. 



78 THE HOUSE NEXT DooR 

Adrian. 
Poor Sir John ! He is humbled now with poverty. 

Jacobson. 
His son will lift that from him. That is why I am in- 
terested in Cecil Cotswold. He is the right kind of young 
man. His birth helps instead of handicapping him. He 
is going to seek with his talent the fortune Sir John squan- 
dered with his hands. 

Adrian. 

l^^a^erly.'] How splendid to be able to do that. To 
make one's own name. To help one's own family. It's 

fine! It's 

Jacobson. 

[(9« couch ] Adrian, you are beginning life. You 
must make your own way. You must work. Use the 
gifts nature has given you, profit by the advantages money 
has been able to buy you. From to-day that money 
ceases. Just the bare necessities 1*11 provide. Nothing 
else. Extravagance I'll never countenance. I'll not de- 
prive you, my boy, of the birthright of making your own 
way by your own effort. 

Adrian. 
You speak as if you doubted me. 

Jacobson. 
[^Places hands on Adrian's shoulders.'] No, I don't 
doubt you. But Sir John's letter has set me thinking. 
He has put his finger with masterly intelligence on the 
important thing in Ufe. Birth ! The majesty of birth ! 
It should be ever present. If one bears a great name live 
up to it. If one comes of humble origin, create a name 
for oneself — if one can, but never for a moment be 
ashamed of your origin. I want you to be proud of the 
fact that your grandfather was a poor struggling chair- 
maker on the estate 1 own to-dav. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 79 

Adrian. 
I am. I faced all that, father, at school and at college. 
Why, my first school fight and my last university one 
were both about you. 

Jacobson. 
\_Snii/ini^.'] Indeed? Did you win them ? 

Adrian. 

The hrst one easily. The iast one — well, it was a draw. 
But if my foot hadn't slipped 

Jacobson. 
{^Laughs. Slaps Adrian on back.'\ In the broader 
arena of life you won't find that necessary 

Adrian. 
Father ! One thing more ! In marriage. Would you 
object to my marrying a Gentile? 

Jacobson. 
\_^Pauses ; looks at hn'&w.^. Re/lecting.'\ If you saw in 
such a marriage the possibility of happiness 

Adrian. 
[Enthusiastic ally.~\ Happiness ! 

Jacobson. 

1 wouldn't allow my personal feeUngs to stand in 

your way ; but, Adrian, I'd feel that my life's work had 
been in vain. 

Adrian. 
\^Looks up at him.'\ Why ? 

Jacobson. 
Because I want^^z/ to carry out what I've begun. 



Jacobson. 
Adrian. 



80 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Adrian. 
And I will. 

Jacobson. 
In such a marriage you wouldn't find it easy. Are you 
in love with such a woman ? 

Adrian. 
Yes. 

Whom? 

Miss Cotswold. 

Jacobson. 
What ! [^Astonished.^ Have you spoken to Sir John? 

Adrian. 
Not yet. I wished to speak to you first. 

Jacobson. 
\^Shaking his head.'] 1 am afraid you are making a 
heavy rod for your back, my boy. He hates me. 

Adrian. 
But if I get his consent, shall I \i2iVt yours f 

Jacobson. 
I don't wish to dictate to you as to your future life. All 
I'd like would be to guide you. But I should be sorry ; 
more than sorry. [ir«/<?r Esther /ww l. He turns as 
if going, sees Esther, goes to her. Smiling at Esther.] 
How is the headache ? 

[Adrian sits r., dejectedly. 

Esther. 
\Smiling back at him / goes to him.'] Quite gone. 



TEE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 81 

JACOBSON. 

[Pinching her cheek,'\ You little rogue ! 

Esther. 
Oh, father, I couldnt ! 

jACOBSON. 

Couldnt! 

Esther. 
Drive with that man. 

JACOBSON. 

But your mother ? 

Esther. 
Mother encourages him. I hate him. Please don't let 
him come here, 

JACOBSON. 

He*s my wife's friend, Esther. 

Esther. 
But / don't like him. 

JACOBSON. 

\Taking her hands.'] And am I to close my doors to 
every one you dislike? If sometimes your mother docs 
things that are not quite to your liking, just remember she 
is your mother. You understand ? 

Esther. 
[Quite simply ; nods.] Yes. I understand. 

JACOBSON. 

That's right. 

[Enter Maximilian, r. arch. 



83 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Maximilian. 
A deputation from the Jewish iron-founders, Sir Isaac. 

Jacobson. 
In the library. [^Exit Maximilian, r. arch^ Part of 
my great scheme. To compel recognition for our race 
in every branch of industrial endeavor. Wouldn't you 
like to meet them, Adrian? 

Adrian. 
Not just now, father. 

Jacobson. 
Very well, my boy. [Goes up to arch R. Esther 
arrests his attention. He turns to Esther.] Don't be 
uneasy, my dear. No one will be forced upon you if you 
don't like them. You are perfectly free to choose your 
own friends. [ Turning away up stage. 

Esther. 
[^Roguishly .A^ And husband? 

Jacobson. 
{Stops and turns to her; pause.'] And husband. 

Esther. 

Dear father ! 

{Impulsively rushes to him and embraces him. 

Jacobson. 
{Takes her face in his hands.] And he'll be a very, 
very lucky man. Very lucky. 

{Kisses her forehead and exits R. ESTHER comet 
joyfully to front of couch. 

Adrian. 
Did you tell Miss Cotswold I was coming home to-day ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 83 

Esther. 
I did. 

Adrian. 
I telegraphed her from Oxford in case you forgot. 

\_Eagerly.] What did she say ? 

Esther. 
"Oh! " 

Adrian. 

[Disappointedly.'] " Oh ! " ? 

Esther. 

Yes— just " Oh ! " 

Adrian. 

Is that all.^ 

Esther. 
Well, it was a very meaning " Oh ! " 

Adrian. 
Yes— but—" Oh!" 

Esther. 
She is coming this afternoon. 

Adrian. 
Here ? 

Esther. 

[Nods.'\ At four. 

Adrian. 
{Joyfully, '\ To sec w^.? 

Esther. 
[Shakes her head, quizzing him.~\ To take tea with me. 



84 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 

Adrian. 
Did she ta/k about me ? Much ? 

Esther. 
No. Hardly at all. 

Adrian. 
Esther ! 

Esther. 
We didn't have time. We had much more important 
things to talk about. 

Adrian. 
More important? What could ht more important? 

Esther. 
Her brother, for instance. He made — oh ! such a suc- 
cess last night. 

Adrian. 
I know. I read about it in the train. 

Esther. 
Adrian, he's magnificent ! He's wonderful ! He's 

Adrian. 
[Chaffingly.'^ Hello! Hello! 

Esther. 
indignantly.'] What do you mean, " Hello! Hello!" 

Adrian. 
[flakes her hand; they both sit on couch; Adrian, 
pointing at her.] You're in love with him ! Is he in love 
with you ? Come ! Tell me ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 86 

Esther. 
Yes, I am. He's coining in to see me this afternoon. 
Fancy ! He's always loved me — always. Oh, I'm so 
happy — so happy ! 

Adrian. 
{Rises : goes "^P^ And I'm miserable ! Miserable! 

Esther. 
[/?w«.] Why? 

Adrian. 
Father says that if I married a Gentile he'd feel his 
life's work were in vain ! 

Esther. 
Oh! 

Adrian. 
What am I to do? {^Enter Maximilian, r. arch. 

Maximilian. 
Miss Cotswold ! 

Adrian. 
i7oyfully.'\ Ulrica! 

Esther. 
[To Maximilian ; exchanges rapid glances with 
Adrian.] Show Miss Cotswold in ! 

{Exit Maximilian. 

Adrian. 
{Breathlessly J\ How can I tell her ? 

Esther. 
{Excitedly : turns to L.] I'll leave you. 



86 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Adrian. 
No, wait a moment — I won't give in. I'm sure when 
he really knows Ulrica, he'll consent ; I'll get her to ap- 
peal to him. 

Esther. 

But [Maximilian shows in Ulrica and exits.'] 

Ulrica ! 

[Adrian Joyfully goes up to meet her: takes her 
hands and brings her to front of couch, c. 

Adrian. 
Ulrica, how are you? I'm so glad to see you — did you 
get my telegram ? Come, sit down here. 

Ulrica. 
Thank you, yes ! Tell me, has my father been here ? 

Esther. 
No! 

Ulrica. 
{^Drops on couch c] Thank heaven I 

Adrian. 
Why? 

Ulrica. 
Something dreadful is going to happen ! 

Esther. 
Dreadful ? 

Adrian. 
What? 

Ulrica. 
My father is going to call here to-day ! To insult Sir 
Isaac ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 87 

Adrian. 
Insult him ? 

Esther. 
Why? 

Ulrica. 
Because he feels Sir Isaac has insulted him. 

Esther and Adrian. 
How? 

Ulrica. 
By sending that money. 

Adrian. 
What money ? 

Ulrica. 
To Cecil. 

Esther. 
[^Anxiously.'] To Cecil ! Your brother ! 

Adrian. 
My father sent money to Cecil Cotswold? 

Ulrica. 
One hundred pounds. 

Esther. 
Oh! 

Adrian. 
Why? 

Ulrica. 

To sing here on Sunday night. 

[Esther and Adrian exchange mortified g/ancti* 



88 , THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
\Goin^^ nearer to Ulrica and sits.'] I'm sorry, dear. 

Adrian. 
And I'm very, very sorry, too. 

Ulrica. 
My father's beside himself. He left home to call on 
Sir Isaac an hour ago. So I sent my brother a note to 
the Opera House, begging him to get away if he could 
and come here at once. We must prevent them from 
meeting somehow. 

Adrian. 
We will ! \_Determtnediy.'\ I will ! 

[£«/'^r Maximilian, r. arch. 

Maximilian. 
Mr. Cecil Cotswold. 

[General movement ; all look at each other. 

Adrian. 
[ To Ulrica and Esther.] Good ! 

Esther. 

[Breathlessly. '\ Show Mr. Cotswold in. 

[Exit Maximilian. 

Ulrica. 
I'm so glad! Now all chance of a quarrel will be 
avoided. 

[Enter Cecil, r. arch. Esther goes to meet him. 

Cecil. 

[As he comes /«.] Hello, sis [Goes to Esther.] 

Esther! [Turns to Adrian, down r. ; shakes his hand."] 
Why, Adrian, I'm delighted ! Broken all records at 
Ojiford.eh? You young Crichton ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 89 

Adrian. 
[^Reddening.^^ Oh, I don't know. 

Cecil. 
Well, what is all the trouble about? [To Ulrica.] 
Have you told them ? 

Ulrica. 
Yes. 

Cecil. 
Father's on the war path, eh ? 

Ulrica. 
Oh, he's furious ! 

Cecil. 
Because Sir Isaac sent me a hundred pounds ? Why, 
he ought to be extremely grateful for my sake, I am. I 
need it. Two songs at fifty pounds each ! It's magnifi- 
cent. How did he find out about it ? 

Ulrica. 
[Looking down ; very quietly. '\ He opened the letter. 

Cecil. 
Oh ! By mistake, eh ? [Pause. Ulrica shakes her 
head slightly i\ No! Dear, dear! Now I really must go 
to an hotel. I can't have all my letters opened, espe- 
cially just now when I'm a popular singer, eh ? [Laugh- 
ing unajfectedly.'] It would never do — would it ? Well, 
has my father called ? 

Ulrica. 
Not yet. 

Cecil. 
Good ! It might have been only a threat after all. He 
may weaken. 



90 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 

Ulrica. 
Oh, no. He'll call. He is just walking about trying 
to make up his mind what to say. 

Cecil. 
Very well, then, with your permission — Icrosses to 
Esther] we'll wait here until he comes. We mustn't 
have any nonsense like that. It's childish — isn't it? 

Esther. 
I think it would be a great pity. 

[Cecil and she talk together. 

Adrian. 
[To Ulrica, in a whisper.'] Ulrica, let us leave them ! 

Ulrica. 
Why? 

Adrian. 
Oh, I've so much to tell you. And 1 can't tell it here, 
with Esther listening and ready to burst out laughing at 
any moment. 

Ulrica. 
But 

Adrian. 
[Esther laughs^ There she goes ! Esther, I'm going 
to show Miss Cots wold father's latest additions to the 
picture gallery. 

Esther. 
{Mischievously. "] Perhaps Mr. Cotswold would like to 
see them too ? 

Adrian. 
{Furious : turns to Cecil.] Would you ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT D00& 91 

Cecil. 
Certainly I would. 

Esther. 
[Disappointed.'] Oh! 

Adrian. 
iAngrily.] Oh! 

Cecil. 
But not just now. I'll wait until the guv'nor comes 
first. 

Adrian. 

\Brightem up.] Yes-— that's much better. You'll be 
here? 

Cecil. 
{Looking at Esther.] Oh, yes. I'll be here. \To 
Adrian.] Don't hurry. 

Adrian. 
Right! {To Ulrica.] Come along. {They go up 
together.] Ulrica ! This is the decisive moment in both 
our hves. 

[Esther bursts out laughing; Adrian and Ul- 
rica turn with hurt expression and exit, R. 
arch. Esther sits settee l. 

Cecil. 
A very remarkable young man. 

Esther. 
{Laughing.] He's very much in love. 

Cecil. 

{Comes to side of settee, L.] The finest thing in the world 

at his age. 



92 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
With Ulrica ! 

Cecil. 
[Sits beside her.~] 1 know. 

Esther. 
Do you object ? 



Cecil. 
Esther. 



Wliy sliouid 1 1 

I wondered ! 

Cecil. 
Another reason why the two old gentlemen mustn't 
meet. 

Esther. 
It's very hard on children when parents quarrel, 
isn't it? 

Cecil. 

Very. That's why I rushed away — in the middle of re- 
liearsal. I know my guv 'nor so well. He's the best in 
the world, but a little hot-headed. I don't want the 
breach between the families to be any wider than it is. 
My dear, dear Esther ! 

[^Goes to embrace her. She rises. 

Esther. 
Oh ! Be careful ! 

Cecil. 
What's the matter? 

Esther. 
If my father should come in ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 93 

Cecil. 
All the better ! Let him come ! Now, Esther — listen ! 
[Sits down; Esther sits.~\ I loved you when I was 
twelve, didn't I ? I'm a httle older now and I love you a 

great deal more. Oh! a great deal more Now don't 

turn away — I'm not going to rest until you toddle up to 
another altar and say another "Yes, " and this time I 
won't let you run away as you did before. I'm going to 
see your father to-day and ask his consent — now that I've 
gotj<?«^j— and I have got yours — haven't I ? Eh? Say 
it [^Pause.'] Say yes! 

Esther. 
Yes. 

Cecil. 
Esther ! You do ? 

[Esther i^'/'6/rN- more definite nod ; he embraces her. 

Esther. 

{^Realizes her father swishes. 1 But it will be no use now, 
I'm afraid. 

Cecil. 

What do you mean .<* 

Esther. 
Father told Adrian just now if he married a Gentile 
he'd feel his life's work were in vain ! That may refer to 
me too I 

Cecil. 
Nonsense I 

Esther. 
Father means everything he says. 



94 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
So do I ; and when I make up my mind to do anything 
I always succeed — even if it takes years. Well, I'm 
going to succeed in winning you ! 

[^Goes to embrace her. 

Esther. 
[Smilingiy.'] Be careful. Tell mc, what were you re- 
hearsi ng ? " Faust f ' ' 

Cecil. 
Oh, no. That's quite ready. We do it to-morrow 
night. We were running through "Hoffman " to-day. 

Esther. 
{Clapping her hands J\ " Hoffman " — oh, how lovely ! 
I was playing it only a few minutes ago. 

Cecil. 
You know it ? 

Esther. 
By heart. I know a// your operas. 

Cecil. 
Then I'll tell you what we'll do. [/?««.] You play 
" Hoffman'' right through for me, will you? 

Esther. 
[/?««.) Certainly I will. 

Cecil. 
[Looking^ around."] All right ; but where can we ? 

Esther. 
\^Poifits L.] The music room is in there. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 95 

Cecil. 

tGoes io her ; takes her handi\ Esther, to-morrow night 
sing for you alone ! 

{Looking down intently at her, 

Esther. 
Will you? 

Cecil. 
{Putting arms around her.'] I will ! 

[Esther gives a little sigh, then suddenly breaks 



out. 
Oh! 
What is the matter ? 



Esther. 
Cecil. 



Esther. 
We're forgetting our fathers ! 

Cecil. 
Fathers! Of course we are. {Sudden thought ; turn- 
ing to Esther.] I know; may I ring? [Esther gives 
motion of assent. He goes up to bell and rings.] Now, 
you just tell the servant to let you know directly my 
father calls. Then I'll go down and take him away be- 
fore he can make any trouble. 

Esther. 
Oh, but I'm afraid 

Cecil. 
You needn't be. Leave it all to me. The two old 
gentlemen shall not meet. [jEw/^r Maximilian with tray.] 
There he is — tell him. 



96 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
[^Turns to Maximilian.] Should Sir John Cotswold 
call on my father, will you kindly tell me first? 

Maximilian. 
Yes, miss. 

Esther. 
If I am not here, I shall be in the music room. 

Maximilian. 
{^Starts to clear table R.] Very well, miss. 

Cecil. 
There ! [ Takes her hand.^ Now, will you play for me ? 

[She nods.'] " Hoffman " f [She nodsJ] The Barcarolle ? 

[She nods.] Would you like to ? Certain? Positive? 

[He backs off, door l. , holding her hands. They 
pass out l., leaving the door partly open, and 
in a few seconds the music of"Contes d' Hoff- 
man ' ' can be distinctly heard, played -with great 
feeling and nice discrimination. Jacouson 
enters R., thoughtfully. He carries some papers 
in his hand. The sound of the music arrests 
him; he walks doivn R.,- when the sound of 
Cecil's and Esther's voices are heard chat- 
ting merrily. Then they both laugh. Jacob- 
SON pauses. Then he stands listening to the 
music, smiling with pleasure. 

Jacobson. 
\To Maximilian.] We have visitors ? 

Maximilian. 
Yes, Sir Isaac. Mr. and Miss Cotswold. 

Jacobson. 
Why wasn't I told ? 



THE HorsE NEXT DOOR 97 

AlAXiAllLIAN'. 

You said you were not to be disturbed, Sir Isaac. 

Jacobson. 
That will do. 

[As Maximilian exits l. arch, Rebecca enters 
R. arch. 

Rebecca. 
Isaac ! [Jacobson turns: she goes down io him.'] I left 
Captain Trevor at his aunt's — Lady Galloway's. [Crosses 
to couch, sits L. c ] I do hope he'll propose to Esther. 
Think what such a marriage would mean to us! We'd 
be taken up everywhere, received everywhere I 

Jacobson. 
My dear Rebecca, you don't seem to understand. It 
isn't a question of who will take us up, it is a question of 
who we // take up. Who we'// receive. 

Rebecca. 
Look at the advantages such a connection would mean 
to Adrian ! 

Jacobson. 
I want Adrian to make his way as I did without con- 
nections of that kind. 

Rebecca. 
Ugh ! 

Jacobson. 
I can't allow 

Rebecca. 
Now let me alone. My mind is made up. I know 
just what I am going to do, indeed 1 do. 



98 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Jacobson. 
Don't you consider my position at all, Rebecca? Re- 
member we're laughed at and hated quite enough already 
without inviting ridicule. [^Sits beside her. 

Rebecca. 
Really I You needn't try to teach me how to behave ! 
No, indeed. The idea ! I represent our house as it 
should be represented. Parbleu I Whose idea was it, 
I'd like to know, to hire all these people for Sunday 
night? Who was it said last night when they were all 
around Cecil Cotswold congratulating him — " Hire him 
for Sunday night " ? 

Jacobson. 
Hire! Sir John Cotswold's son? Hire! Rebecca I 
Really, my dear ! 

Rebecca. 
Yes, hire! Aren't we paying him for it? And paying 
him well ? Who would think of giving a hundred pounds 
for two songs ? Eh ? Answer me that. 

Jacobson. 
[^Alusic stops.'] A hundred pounds ! Did you offer him 
that ? 

Rebecca. 
OJ^er it to him? I sent it to him. A nice crisp hun- 
dred pound note with my invitation. 

Jacobson. 
\^Rises ; aghast.'] Rebecca! You didn't ! 

Rebecca. 
I did. Certainly I did. 

Jacobson. 

[^Indignantiy.] Oh! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 99 

Rebecca. 
What'U be the result? Monday morning everybody 
will be talking about us ! 

Jacobson. 
Do you mean to tell me. seriously, you sent Sir John 
Cotswold's son a hundred pounds— as you would to a 
tradesman ? 

Rebecca. 
Certainly I did. Now I suppose you'll say it's too 
much. 

Jacobson. 
It is indeed too much. Rebecca, how could you com- 
mit such an unpardonable, gross breach of courtesy ; 

Rebecca. 
Breach of courtesy ? To an artist— to an opera singer ? 
Ha! That is funny! Hah! 

\Laughs : fans herself vigorously. 

Jacobson. 
Remember, the opera singer is the son of Sir John 
Cotswold. 

Rebecca. 
The stuck-up old spendthrift. He ought to be glad to 
have a son who can earn so much money for him. 

Jacobson, 
\Comes to R. side of couch.-\ For years I've never 
spoken to you seriously. I've given you your own way 
completely, because you're my wife-the mother of my 
children. When you've made our family and our name 
ridiculous with your affectations, I "ever interfered. 1 
said to myself. ''It gives her pleasure ; I'll bear the ridi- 



100 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

cule." You bring an adventurer, like this man Trevor, 
into my house and force him upon Esther. Now you 
insult the one man of all others whose feehngs 1 most 
wish to spare — Sir John Cotswold. isn't his position 
sufficiently painful without such a coarse, wanton humili- 
ation ? 

Rebecca. 
Isaac ! 

JACOBSON. 

To-morrow my door is closed to Captain Trevor. In 
future you shall be accountable to me for your actions. 
I'll not have my name made a whipping-post for the jibes 
and sneers of our detractors by you. 

Rebecca. 
[^Emoti(m(x//y.\ You've never spoken to me like this 
before . 

Jacobson. 

That's where I've been wrong, [Rebecca covers her 
eyes and tries, silently. Jacobson looks at her a moment, 
unbends, then comes down to her quite tenderly.'] Don't do 
that, dear! 

Rebecca. 
I never thought ! I never thought ! I did it all for 
your sake — all for your sake. 

Jacobson, 
[ Takes her hand.] I know that, Rebecca — I said more 
than I should ! The first angry word I've ever spoken to 
you. But since I was a child, I've always looked up to 
the Cotswolds. His father helped mine in a hundred 
ways when we were poor. Now that our positions have 
changed let us try to help Sir John — not hurt him. There, 
that's all past ! Never an angry word again ! 

{^Patting her hand. 



THE HOUSSE NEXT DOOR 101 



Rebkcca. 



[^Lookin^ up at him.'] Isaac ! Isaac 
[^Ente 



nter Maximilian with card on salver, R. arch, 
crossing down to l. 

Jacobson. 
\To Maximilian.] What is it ? 

Maximilian, 
I was to tell Miss Jacobson first. 

Jacobson. 
Tell her? What? 

Maximilian. 
When Sir John Cotswold called. 

Jacobson. 
Sir John ? {Goes up, takes card from salver, looks at ii.] 
You needn't tell my daughter — show Sir John up. 

{Exit Maximilian. 

Rebecca. 
{Rises c] I can't see him like this. 

Jacobson. 
Please do! 

Rebecca. 

But ! 

Jacobson. 
I want you to. ^ 

[Rkhkcca sits c. Enter Maximilian. 



102 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Maximilian. 

Sir John Cotswold ! 

[jEw/^r Sir John, dressed exactly as he left the stage 
at the end of the first act, save for a new pair of 
gloves. He walks detenninedly into the room, 
stops short when he sees Rebecca, bows deeply 
to her, then formally and frigidly to Jacobson. 
Exit Maximilian, r. arch. 

Jacobson. 
[Pointing to chair.'] Won't you ? 

Sir John. 
Thank you — no ! I have called for one moment only 
— one f \_To Rebecca.] Would I be asking too much if 
I begged tlie favor of speaking to your husband alone? 

Rebecca. 
\yumping up.] Certainly not. Sir John ! 

Sir John. 
I shall be greatly obliged. 

Rebecca. 

Delighted. 

[^Bowing to Sir John, then goes R, Sir John 
precedes her and goes to door R. ; opens it. SiR 
John bows to her, as she exits, then he closes 
the door. He turns, comes R. C. 

Jacobson. 

Thank you ! 

[Sir John stops, ahnost resentint^ " thanks,'' goes 
to Chesterfield, puts hat down, then gets envel- 
ope from his pocket. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 103 

Sir John. 

And now. =,ir ! [ Tukes envelope from pocket, bank-note 

front envelope with his M^ers Jets it flutter on the table 

ilso envelope, then dusts his fingers .-] I beg to return that 

ff/ou please ! l^^^es up hat from couch. 

JACOBSON. 

\_Asionished ; looks at the note and then a/ SiR JOHN.] 
What do you mean ? 

Sir John. 

I mean that I have pocketed my pride sufficiently to 
call on you. sir, to settle our accounts. 

Jacobson. 
Oh, I see. You wish to pay your rent. 

Sir John. 
{Loudly. 1 No. sir. That I fiever pay ! [Pa«^«.] My 
daughter attends to it. 

Jacobson. 
{Goes to table, picks up note.^ Then what does this 
mean ? 

Sir John. 
You know perfectly well what it means. It was in that 
envelope. Read it ! Do you know the handwriting ? 

Jacobson. 
My wife's writing. Now 1 understand perfectly. Did 
your son commission you to call on me . 

Sir John. 

Commission? Commission! ^} '^.^''^^ ^^\^r J^l^'^Z 
that 1 am not in the habit of allowmg myself to be sent 
on commissions by any one. Not even by my son. 



104 THK HOUSE XEXT DOOR 

Jacobson. 
But how did you get this? 

Sir John. 
{^Hesitatingly^ My — a — my son was not in. I opened 
it — fortunately. 

Jacobson. 
Indeed ! You will forgive me saying it, but I am not 
accustomed to opening letters that are not addressed to 
me — even to my own son. 

Sir John. 

\^Jhoroughly ungry.^ That — that is my affair. Luckily 
for you, sir, my son knows nothing of this insult. 

Jacobson. 
I assure you 

Sir John. 
One moment, if you please. I stand before you as the 
head of the Cotswold family. Insults offered to any 
member of my family are offered to me. 

Jacobson. 
But really, Sir John, my dear Sir John. 

Sir John. 
You needn't lay so much stress on the Sir—\ was born 
with it. 

Jacobson. 
\_Quieily^ I merely earned it. 

Sir John. 
What? Earned? I>oug/it, sir, bought and paid {ox. 

Hut let us finish tliis matter. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 105 

Jacobson. 
Please do. {Slightly bowing. 

Sir John. 
lExciiedly.^ Be good enough to understand that the 
son of Sir John Cotswold does not accept payment for the 
honor of his visit. 

Jacobson. 
Neither does one pay Sir John Cotsvvold's son, but the 
ariist, who also honors by acccepting the invitation. 

Sir John. 
You beg the question, sir. You juggle words. If my 
son should ever call on you— which I hope most emphat- 
ically he never will do— [JACOBSON looks at door i.. ; 
smiles] if he sings in your house— which is absolutely out 
of the question at any and all times — then he does so be- 
cause it amuses \i\vc\— amuses, sir— and not for payment. 
Do you grasp that, sir? If you do not then you are but 
Httle better than a 

Jacobson. 
{Interrupting.] Sir John ! Let us try to keep this dis- 
cussion within moderate bounds. [ With dignity,'] Please 
remember you are in my house. 

Sir John. 
Ha! Just so. Exactly. K^«r house. You do well to 
remind me. And who built this house, sir? My father, 
sir. .A.nd who leased the smallest hovel on this estate for 
the purpose of making a wretched living out of equally 
wretched chairs, sir ? Your father, sir ! Your father ! 

Jacobson. 
{With growing heat.] And who owns the estate now ? 



106 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
[/« white heat.^ You, sir, damme ! You ! And how ? 
By what means ? You got control of money — as your 
race always does — and you buy up by the most under- 
hand 

Jacobson. 
Sir John ! 

Sir John. 
I repeat, you buy up in the most underhand, secret, 
and surreptitious way, the mortgages ill luck compelled 
me to encumber the estate with. And had I not in my 
contract expressly reserved the right to live as tenant in 
one of my houses, you would have driven me out of that. 

Jacobson. 
[^■/<?/5 toward Sir John, angered by the injustice of the 
insinuution.~\ You are absolutely 

Sir John. 
Take care, sir ! Take care ! 

Jacobson. 
{^Controlling himself.'] But I'm foolish to allow myself 
to be angry. Say what you please. You can't insult me. 
You can't be taken seriously. 

Sir John. 
But I insist on being taken seriously. I want to in- 
sult you ! You shall be angry ! I've been angry for 
years ! Yes, damme, sir, years ! You not only get my 
estate but you buy up even my pictures ! Look at that, 
sir ! l^Pointing to picture on the wall r.] My great, great- 
grandfather ! Look at it ! And blush — if your constitu- 
tion and your skin will permit you such an emotion. You 
take everything you can from me. You even decoy my 
daughter's suitor, Captain Trevor. You buy even him! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 107 

Jacobson. 

[Smiiing.'\ The purchase is not complete. I return 
him to you — debts and all. 

Sir John. 
Stop, sir. You are flippant, sir. How dare you ! I 
don't allow any one to be flippant in my presence. 

Jacobson. 
[Ironicaily.'] I beg your pardon. 

Sir John. 
And now — tiow ! — Not content with all you have done 
to harm and humiliate me with your ill-gotten money you 
must needs try to buy my son — buy a Cotswold for a 
hundred pounds. But you shall not ! No, sir ! 1 7nay 
be poor. 1 am poor ! Honorably poor, and I would 
rather be honorably poor, sir, than dishonorably rich ! 

Jacobson. 
\With dignity.'] Sir John Cotswold, you will oblige me 
by leaving this house. 

Sir John. 
[ With a scream.'] What ? Leave the house ? You dare 

tell me — you — you — you 

[ Words fail him. As he stands face to face with 
Jacobson, trembling with rage, almost about 
to strike him, enter Cecil and Esther, door 
L., engrossed with each other, laughing and 
talking merrily. As they see Sir John and 
Jacobson, they look at each other amazed. 

Jacobson. 
{^Quietly,] Your son ! 

Sir John. 
\Turning quickly ; aghast.] Cecil! You I Here I 



108 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
Father ! 

JACOBSON. 

Esther ! 

{^Motions fur to leave the room. Cecil iakei her to 
door. She exits L. 

Sir John. 
[ To Cecil.] How long have you been here, sir ? 

Cecil. 
That's exactly what I was going to ask you. How do 
you do, Sir Isaac ? 

\Crosses to Jacobson, offering his hand. 

Sir John. 
Don't touch his hand. I forbid you. We've been in- 
sulted, grossly insulted by this man. There, sir— look at 

it- {^Pointing to ftote.'] Look at it. The price of your 

degradation. Hired like a juggler at a fair ! 

Cecil. 
My dear father, even if you do oj)en letters that are 
addressed to me, please leave the answering of them to 
me. 

Sir John. 
Very well. Give that man his answer. Now. He 
sends you one hundred pounds to sing to him on Sunday 
night ! — Give him his answer ! 

Cecil. 
\_To Jacobson.] Sir Isaac, I accept your invitation 
with my best thanks ! 

Sir John. 
What ? You accept ? And the money ? You accept 
that too ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 109 

Cecil. 

Certainly. It's my means of livelihood \_Turri- 

ing to Jacobson.] 1 accept not merely your invitation, 
but your payment, Sir Isaac. I know perfectly well the 
instinct that prompted your offer. It was one of kindli- 
ness — not of insult, and I apologize to you for my father's 
attitude and speech. 

Sir John. 
You? Apologize for me! After that — you — may go 
to the 

Cecil. 
One moment, father. I wish you to hear this, too. 
\lo Jacobson.] Sir Isaac, I ask you for your daughter's 
hand. [Jacobson surprised. 

Sir John. 
Cecil ! 

Cecil. 
\lo Jacobson.] Have I your consent? 

Sir John. 
You haven't mine, sir. Marry into this family? You 
do, sir, and I'll disown you. Marry that man's daughter 
and you never enter my house or look on my face again. 
Now choose. 

Cecil. 
My choice is made, father! With Sir Isaac's consent 
I wish to make Miss Jacobson my wife. 

{Turn% to Jacobson. 

Sir John. 
Very well. I leave you to your Jewish friends. To 

think that a Cotswold— a -a — a Cotswold — a — a 

\Breaks into hysterical laughter. Ulrica i?«</ Adrian 



no THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

walk in radiant and happy , absorbed in each other. Sir 
John's laughter arrests them. They look in amazement .'\ 
Ulrica ! \Vhat are you doing in this house ? 

Adrian. 
\Entirely misreading the situation. Mistaking Sir 
John's laughter for friendlijiess, rushes forward.'] My dear 
Sir John ! [^Stretching out his hands.] You are the one 
man of all men I most wish to see ! 

Sir John. 
[Hands behind his back.] Who are you, sir? 

Adrian. 
Adrian, Sir John ! Adrian Jacobson ! Oh, but I am 
glad you are here ! Glad indeed to find you visiting my 
father in such a nice, friendly way. 

Sir John. 
Friendly ! Nice ! 

Adrian. 
[Turning to Sir John.] And I'll tell you why I'm 
glad. I am going to ask you the greatest favor one man 
can do another — to make his whole life happy. To make 
two people happy — Sir John, I want to marry your 
daughter. What do you say ? 

Sir John. 
[Beside himself.] Say! This, sir ! This! I'd rather 
see her dead, sir! Yes, dead! My daughter? You! 
[Looking at Jacobson.] His son ! Ulrica — come here ! 
[Ulrica comes to his l.] Never — never in my lifetime 
cross the threshold of this house again or speak to any 
member of this disgraceful family. 

Ulrica. 
Father ! 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 111 

Adrian. 

Sir John! 

Sir John. 

Silence! Come. Ulrica! [Sir John takes Ulrica by 
her right hand: she is on his l. They cross behind couch 
R. Adrian sinks in chair l. ; Cecil crosses up to back 
of his chair and consoles him, and crosses to back of sofa. 
Jacobson steps up to back of small chair by table R.] Sir 
Isaac Jacobson, this I trust will be the last time 1 shall 
ever have the unpleasant necessity of speaking to you I 
Let me pay you a tribute ! At least you are thorough. 
You would buy my family as you did my mortgages — 
behind my back. Well, sir, let me tell you this, you can 
buy my estate, my furniture, my pictures, everything that 
has value to me — even my son — but my daughter — \_puts 
his right arm around her shoulder'] you cannothny ! The 
one tie left me that you with all your money cannot break. 
The rest I leave in your hands ! 

[ Turns with Ulrica to go. 

Jacobson. 
One moment ! [Ulrica and Sir John stop and turn.'] 
You say I am thorough 1 You would rather see your 
daughter dead than a member of my family— I entirely 
agree with you, Sir John Cotswold ! You echo exactly 
my own feelings ! Such a marriage would be to me the 
profoundest humihation ! Have no fear I None of my 
family will ever mate with yours ! And in this, believe 
me, I shall indeed be— thorough ! 

[Sir John clutches Ulrica's arm and almost 
staggers ; they turn and walk up to R. arch. 
The Barcarolle is heard on piano off door \.., 
with Esther softly singing. Cecil turns, 
looks at door as music starts. Adrian watches 
Ulrica off. 

SLOW curtain 



ACT III 

SCENE. — Sm}ie as Act I. Three days later. 
[Margaret is discovered at rise of curtain listen- 
ing anxiously at the door of SiR John's room 
L. Elnter Ui.RiCA, C, with manuscripts. 

Ulrica. 
\Looking at her another reproachfully.'] Mother ! 

Margaret. 
{Starting guiltily.'] He doesn't stir, dear. 

Ulrica. 
Let him alone. 

\Sits at writing table up R., and commences to 
work. 

Margaret. 
But suppose he's ill ? 

Ulrica. 
His appetite is too good for him to be ill. 

Margaret. 
^Reproachfully.] Ulrica ! 

Ulrica. 
Now please, mother, I've no time to fret over my 
father's temper. 

Margaret. 

\_Goes to chair l. of table, picks up needlework and sighs 

zvearily.] He must be ill. If he were well he wouldn't 

go to bed for days, [^Sits. 

112 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 113 

Ulrica. 
Don't take the least notice of him. He'll soon get up 
then. [Works. 

Margaret. 
He hasn't even had breakfast yet, dear, and it's almost 
dinner time. [Stifc/ies in si/ence ; starts, hurries to door L..'] 
Yes, John ! [Pause.'] Did you call? [Listens. 

UlJ<]CA. 

[Turning] No, mother, he didn't. 

Margaret. 
Sssh ! [Warning\]i,Kic\ as she listens .~\ Vining is with 
him! [Pause.] He's having his breakfast. [Pleased. Sir 
John » heard scoldingNv^Y^Q heartily.] I think he's bet- 
ter. His voice sounds stronger. [Sir John 5^^?^/5.] Much 
stronger! [Pause.] Vining is leaving him. [Hurries to 
doors c, opens them, goes half-way out of room, beckons, 
calling in a low tone.] Vining I Vining! [Reenters, fol- 
lowed by Vining carrying breakfast tray. Eagerly.] Well ? 
Is he better ? 

Vining. 
[At door, shakes his head sadly.] No, my lady, worse ! 

Margaret. 
What was the matter ? 

Vining. 
The coffee, my lady. He said it was bitter. 

Margaret. 
Couldn't he drink it? 

Vining. 

Yes, my lady. All of it. 



114 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 
[7^ Margaret.] See? 

ViNING. 

He said the bacon was of another generation and 
wanted to know if we bought it where we bought our 
eggs. 

Margaret. 
What is he doing now ? 

ViNING. 

Reading The Times, my lady. 

Margaret. 
\^l'Veariiy.'] That will do, Vining. 

\^Exit ViNING. c. Margaret waiks sadly back 
to chair L. of table, takes up her needlework, 
sighing deeply. 

Ulrica. 

\At writing table.'] What's the use of worrying, 
mother? He s done this so often before. 

Margaret. 
I know. When Cecil went on the stage he stayed in 
bed for two weeks. 

Ulrica. 

Now that Cecil wants to marry he may stay iti bed for 
a month. 

Margaret. 
And you, my dear? He said you wanted to marry, 
too. 

Ulrica. 

Oh ! He doesn't bother about me. He thinks that all 
he has to do is to forbid me. 



TJSE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 115 

Margaret. 
[SadlySl It can't be healthy to lie there all day. 

Ulrica. 
We have only ourselves to blame. We've always 
spoiled him. 

Margaret. 
[Sigks.'\ I know. Still he's 

Ulrica. 
Don't try to excuse him, mother. I can't ! He's 
tyrannized over me quite long enough. But no more ! 

[^Enter Vining, C. ; inside door. 

Margaret. 
[Starting up nervously; rises.'\ What is it? Sssh ! 
Speak softly. 

Vining. 
\In a whisper^ Mr. Lewis, my lady. 

Ulrica. 
My brother isn't here. 

Vining. 
[In a whisper.'] He wants to see j/<7«, miss. 

Ulrica. 
Well, show him in. [Exit Vinino. 

Margaret. 
What can he want ? 

Ulrica. 
We'll soon know. 



116 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
[Listening at door \..~\ I hope he won't disturb John. 

S^Entcr ViNING, C. 

ViNING. 

[/« a whisper. '\ Mr. Lewis. 

Lewis. 

\^Enteri7ig with his usual boisterous mapiner.'] Ah ! 
Good-afternoon, ladies! 

[Margaret and Ulrica make signs for silence. 
He pauses and looks front one to the other in 
perplexity, then goes to back of table and puts 
down hat. 

Margaret and Ulrica. 
Sssh! 

Margaret. 
My husband is ill I \^Exit V'ining, c. 

Lewis. 
Oh! I'm sorry. Sorry, indeed. Is it serious? 

Margaret. 
We don't know yet. 

Lewis. 
Is it infectious .' [ Takes up hat as if going. 

Margaret. 
[^Impatiently.'] Dear me, no. 

[Lewis shows relief and puts hat back on table. 

Ulrica. 
[Turns to Lewis.] My brother is staying at the Vic- 
toria. 



THE HOUSE NEXT BOOB 117 

Lkwis. 
I know. I'm on my way to call on him. [7b Mar- 
garet.] You'll excuse me. [Goes to Ulrica; hands 
her a letter and winks at her.'] Here ! 

Ulrica. 
[Rises, taking the letter.] What is this ? 

Lewis. 
[ IVinking.] From next door. 

Ulrica. 
Next door } 

Lewis. 
[Following her, nods vigorously : chuckles and winks 
again.] Mr. Adrian ! 

Ulrica. 
[ By couch .] For me ? 

Lewis. 
Rather. Got one for your brother from Miss Jacobson 
as well. 

Ulrica. 
[Coldly,] Indeed! 

Lewis. 
There's been a pretty how-de-do in there, and no mis- 
take. Sir Isaac's on his dignity now. Says his children 
mustn't visit here until Sir John's apologized. 

Ulrica. 
Who told you that ? 

Lewis. 
Mr. Adrian. 

Ulrica. 
Mother, did you hear Mr. Lewis's news.^ 



118 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
No, dear. What is it ? 

Ulrica. 
Sir Isaac Jacobson declines to allow either Esther or 
Adrian to visit us until father apologizes. 

Margaret. 
John ! Apologize ! Never ! No matter how much he 
might be in the wrong ! 

Lewis. 
That's what I said. His pride. And I admire it. I 
do, indeed. And I admire Sir John ! Rather ! You 
know, Lady John [Stare of surprise from Marga- 
ret.] 1 mean, Lady Cotswold— I think Sir John is one 

of the finest gentlemen — real gentlemen 

\_Loud ringing from rootn L. 
Margaret. 

Sssh! 

[Hurries to door l. and listens ; louder ringing 
heard continuously. 

Sir John. 
[Screaming from inside room.'} Why doesn't somebody 
come? 

Margaret. 
I'm here, John. Do you want me? 

Sir John. 
[Inside room l.] No ! I don't! Who's in there? 

[Margaret looks timidly at Ulrica. 

Ulrica. 
[Jn front of couch R., smiling.'] Tell him ! 

Sir John. 
[Inside room L.] Well ? Can't you speak? Who's in 
there ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 119 

Margaret. 
Mr. Lewis, John ! 

[Lewis has very satisfied smile. 

Sir John. 
\Inside room l.] Lewis ! Lewis ! Outside with him ! 
Away with the Jews ! 

Lewis. 
[Starting.'] Well, upon my — — 

Sir John. 
[Inside room l.] Do you hear me ? 

Margaret. 
I hear you, John ! 

Sir John. 
[Inside room L.] Send — him — away ! 

Margaret. 
Yes. John {Pause:\ John! [Pause.] John! 

Sir John. 
[Inside room "L.y mimic king her.] John! John! What 
do you want ? 

Margaret, 
Are you going to get up, dear ? 

Sir John. 
[Inside room L., angrily.] No, I'm not ! 

Margaret. 
\midly.] Do you want anything ? [Pause.] John ! 



[Pause.] John I 

Sir John. 
[Inside room L., shouting.] Go away ! 



120 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
[Sighs wearily, leaves the door.'] I'm very sorry, Mr. 
Lewis ! 

Lewis. 

Not at all. Very natural of Sir John. Very natural 
indeed. 

Margaret. 
He's not well. [Si/s. 

Lewis. 
Of course he isn't. {Confidentially over table to her.] 

But, Lady Cotswold, I'm really not a 

[Loud ringing at street door-bell. 

Margaret. 
[Starting.~\ Oh ! What's going to happen now .? 

Lewis. 
[Nervously^ I think perhaps I'd better go. 

[Picks up hat and gloves and goes up c. 

Ulrica. 

[Goes to"vard him.'] Thank you very much for calling". 
I'm sorry you should have had such a reception. 

Lewis. 
I quite understand. Pride ! I know. [Ulrica goes 
up to writing table ; Lewis/oHows.] But, Miss Cotswold, 

I'm not really a 

[Enter Cecil, c. 

Cecil. 
[Comes down c] Hello, Lewis ! 

Margaret. 
Sssh ! Piease—vour father 



TEE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 121 

Cecil. 
[Turns io Lewis.] I want to see you later. Meet me 
at the Victoria, will you ? Better still, pick me up here 
in half an hour. 

Lewis, 
\BydoorC.^ Right! 

Cecil. 
Sorry to turn you out, but I've something very impor- 
tant and very private to do here first. 

Lewis. 
\At door, winks at him and hands htm letter.'] Here ! 
I've got something for you ! 

Cecil. 
Eh? 

Lewis. 
[/w his ear'] From Esther! [Cecil takes the letter ; 
looks at him in amazement. Lewis, with finger on his 
lips; in door.] Mum's the word! \_Opens door; to 
Ulrica.] Miss Cotswold, you know I'm really a Presby- 
terian. [Exit, c. 

Cecil. 
[Puts letter in pocket without opening it.] Is father still 
in bed .-* [Comes down c. 



Margaret. 
Cecil. 



[Sighs.] Yes. 

He mnsi get up I 

. Margaret. 
[Alarmed; rises.] Cecil ! 



laSi THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 

Cecil. 
Now there's no help for it. He's got to. 

Ulrica. 
What is the matter ? 

Cecil. 
[Jli/ies out note-case and counts notes.'] First of all, 
here's fifty pounds. [^Puts it on table.'] That will pay our 
arrears in rent. 

Margaret. 
{Joyfut/y.] Oh! I'm so glad! Thank you, Cecil. 
That's been worrying me day and night. 

Cecil. 
Don't thank me, mother. I've a great deal to pay 
back yet, haven't I, Ulrica? 

Ulrica. 

Cecil ! 

Cecil. 

[Gom^ quickly toward door l.] Now for it ! 

Margaret. 

{^Rushing between him and the door.'] No ! Cecil ! 
Don't ! Please ! 

Cecil. 
[Gently taking her away from the door and putting her 
on his -^^^ Nonsense, mother ! It's got to be done. Let 
us get it over at once. 

Margaret. 
Oh — but [ Gesture of appeal. 



THE HOUSE NEXT JJOOM 123 

Ulrica. 
Let him alone, mother ! 

\Smiling, Margaret wrings her hands in misery. 

Cecil. 
{Knocking at doori..'] Father! {Pause. Knocks again.'] 
Father! {Pause. Knocks and calls loudly and rattles 
locked door.] Father ! Open the door ! [Cecil, Mar- 
garet and Ulrica stand listening. The doors c. open 
quietly and Sir John enters fully dressed. He stands look- 
ing grimly at the three backs. Cecil beating at the door 
violently^ Father ! 

Sir John. 

{Up by doorc, smiling amiably.] Yes, my boy, what 
is it? 

{All three start, turn, look at Sir John in amaze- 
ment. 

Margaret. 
[ With a gasp.] John ! 



Yes, my dear? 
You are up} 



Sir John. 
Margaret. 



Sir John. 
No, my dear! I'm in bed in there! [Ulrica and 
Cecil exchange glances and smile. ] What's all this rac kct 
about? {Coming down to back of table.] Eh? {Sees 
money on the table.] Hello ! Money ! Money, eh ? 

{Takes it up. 

Cecil. 
Yes, father! 



104 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
[^Counts it,'\ Fifty pounds. I never come into this room 
now but I find money lying about. Who brought this ? 

Cecil. 
[Steps to Margaret's side.'] I did, father! 

Sir John. 
Indeed ! [^Crosses to couch r., handing it to Ulrica, as 
he crosses.] Kindly give it back to him. We don't want 
it. Money, indeed ! From him ! Pah ! \Sits couch r. 

Ulrica. 
[c] It's for the rent we owe. 

[Margaret sits in chair r. of table. 

Sir John. 
Rent? What rent? 

Margaret. 
Ulrica! 

Ulrica. 
Be quiet, mother. [ To Sir John.] We have not paid 
any rent for over six months. 

Sir John. 
And why not ? 

Ulrica. 
Because we had no money to pay it with. 

Sir John. 

{^Angrily.] No money. No ? Why didn*t you 

come to mer 

Ulrica. 
Because you hadn't any either. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 125 

Sir John. 
Well ? And what of that? I could get some, couldn't 
I? 

Ulrica. 
Where could you get it ? 

Sir John. 
[^Confused and irrttated.~\ Eh? What? That is my 
afifair. This is inexcusable ! Disgraceful ! [/?««.] 
How dare you allow me — me to owe money to Mr. 
Jacobson ! 

Cecil, 
Sir Isaac Jacobson, father. 

Sir John. 
Very well ! Sir Isaac Jacobson ! This is extremely 
painful ! It is bitter ! Very bitter ! Especially just now 
after what I said to him — a few days ago ! 

Ulrica. 
I asked you not to call on him — a few days ago. 

Sir John. 
Why didn't he say something about it then? 

Ulrica. 
Because he wished to spare your feelings. 

Sir John. 
Spare my fiddlesticks ! He wanted to humiliate mc. 
Well, he succeeded ! I am humiliated ! Bitterly hu- 
miliated ! [Suddenly hurries across energetically round 
back of table to bell, Rings.'\ This must be settled at 
once ! At once ! 

Cecil. 
There are more things to be settled than that, father! 



126 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
One thing at a. time — if you please. [Vining enters c] 
Vining, there's fifty pounds. Take it at once to Mr. 
Jacobson, 

Cecil. 
Sn-! 

Sir John. 
\Catches Cecil's eye; glares indignant iy.'] Ha — Sir 
Isaac Jacobson, and pay the rent. And say that we are 
sorry — extremely sorry — it has been overlooked so long. 
Hurry with it. 

Vining. 
[lakes the money which Ulrica hands him.] Very 
well, Sir John ! [Goes up c. 

Sir John. 
Vming ! [Vining turns.] Uon't forget to ask for a 
receipt. 

ViNINCJ. 

Yes, Sn- John. [Exit, C. 

Sir John. 

[Relieved; sits R. of table,] Good! That's settled! 
If I'd been told sooner it would have been paid sooner. 
Ulrica, kindly remember we owe your brother fifty 
pounds. 

Cecil. 
I owe Ulrica considerably more. 

Margaret. 
Cecil ! Please ! Don't ! 

Cecil. 
But I do owe it. Father might just as well know 
everything now. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 127 

Sir John. 
I should appreciate such a wide knowledge extremely. 
Everything, my boy. However miserable or bitter! 
Out with it ! Spare me nothing ! 
Cecil, 
My studies cost a great deal of money, father ! 

Sir John. 
! know it. A great deal of money. They were paid 
for, weren't they ? 

Cecil. 

Yes, they were. But what you were kind enough to 
spare was not sufficient — so — so Ulrica gave up her little 
fortune for me and without my knowledge. 

Sir John. 
What? [^Pauses, thinks, smiles at het\\ That was good 
of you, Ulrica ! Charming of you ! Kmd of you ! I'm 
glad to know it ! ()uite glad ! Yes, quite glad ! {^Pauses ; 
rises.'l Cecil, my boy, I withdraw my objection to your 
singing. Sing by all means ! Make money by it. And 
pay back your sister. \_Bcams on them.'] There ! Now ! 
Am I always disagreeable ? 

\_Sits again, takes cigar from box. MARGARET 
and Ulrica at first surprised and then de- 
lighted, turn and kiss one another. 

Cecil. 
I am glad to have your sanction at last. 

Sir John. 
You've got it! All over! No bitterness I Do what 
you please ! Anything, anything, anything ! 

{Striking match. 
Cecil. 
But now comes the most important thing of all. 

[Ulrica has her arm around Margaret ; they 
both listen attentively and in surprise. 



128 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
Something else ? 

Cecil. 
Yes. Ulrica's little legacy was insufficient. More 
money was needed to keep me abroad. 

Sir John. 
And where did you get that ? Borrowed it ? 

Cecil. 
No. Some one gave it voluntarily. 

Sir John. 
Gave it ! Oho ! Really ? One of my family ? That' s 
funny ! Damn funny ! Which one ? 

Cecil. 
None of our family, father. 

Sir John. 
I'm very glad. I hate 'em all. Wouldn't accept a 
favor from any of 'em. Who gave it to you, my boy ? 

Cecil. 
\^Pause,'\ Sir Isaac Jacobson. 

Sir John. 
\^Rtses and stares at Cecil. Ulrica and Margaret 
rise slowly, thoroughly frightened.'] What ! 

Cecil. 
I didn't know it at the time. Lewis arranged it for me. 
He heard me sing at Munich. I was absolutely strapped 
for money, hadn't a penny in the world. He said that 
he knew a rich man who had done a great deal for young, 
struggling artists and singers. He'd bring my case under 
his notice. He did. Sir Isaac advanced the money. 
Through him I'm where I am to-day. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 129 

Sir John. 
[Shrinks abashed, his figure dwindles ; all the fire and 
pride goes out of his figure and voice. After a pause, in a 
low voice. '\ How much ? 

Cecil. 
A thousand pounds. 

Sir John. 
\He sinks in chair, his head falls on his breast, his fingers 
twitching ; he sits and feebly beats his knee with his clenched 
fist.] My God ! My God ! 

[Margaret crosses to back of Sir John's chair, 
and stands solicitously near him, watching him, 
hand on his shoulder for a moment. Cecil 
comes to R. of Margaret to comfort her. 
Ulrica turns r. by piano. Sir John suddenly 
straightens up ; the life comes back to him, he 
rises decidedly, crosses round front of table and 
rings. 

Margaret. 
\At back of table, timidly, as his hand touches bell-tope.] 
John, what are you going to do? 

Sir John. 
\At bell.] Do ? What should I do ? That money must 
be repaid at once. \Comes round to R. of table.] I'll not 
sleep one night in that man's debt. 

Cecil. 
[Behind chair R. of table ; quietly.] Father ! Surely 
that is my business. 

Sir John. 
You are my son. I should have provided enough 
money for your education. Where is Vining ? 

[Rings again. 



130 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
You sent him with the rent. 

Sir John. 
Next door. It shouldn't take all day. 

Cecil. 

[G?w« ^<77t';/ L. ^ Sir John.] Father! It's ///>' debt, 
/'//repay it. 

Sir John. 
Tshist ! I allow no man to meddle in my affairs. 

Cecil. 
But remember — two days ago, you disowned mt ! 

Sir John. 
And I will, if you marry that man's daughter. 

[Fjjfe?- ViNING. 

Vining. 
[^Breathiessiy.'\ The receipt, Sir John ! 

\^Puts it on the table. 

Sir John. 
Ha ! One debt removed ! Now for the other ! Vining, 
my hat, my gloves, my cane. At once. 

Vining. 
Yes, Sir John. {^Hurries out C. 

Sir John. 
What did that man mean by lending you money ? 
How dare he lend you money ? Mark my words, there 
was some object behind all this. Mark my words. 

Ulrica. 
It is only one of his many kindly acts. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 131 

Sir John. 
\7uming to her.'] Kindly — rubbish ! I don't want his 
kindness. Oh, no' There's something more. For 
months he asks for no rent. Why ? He sacrifices a 
thousand pounds for my son's education. My son's! 
And then he allows me to insult him in his own house ! 
Why ? Why .? I tell you the man is sinister ! 

Margaret. 

\^Ai^reeing with Sir John.] It is certainly strange ! 

SiK John. 
Strange.'' It's inconceivable. It's — it's — bitter — liit- 

ter Well! \_Squaring his shouldersJl It remains for 

me to hft this mountain of debt. By to-night every 
pound, shilling and penny will be repaid. 

Ulrica. 
Where will you get it ? 

Cecil. 

Yes, father, where ? 

Sir John. 
Where.'' Where.'' There are a miUion Jews in Lon- 
don lending money. Is there not one amongst 'em who 
will lend Sir John Cotswold a thousand pounds? If he 
gets twelve hundred in return ? Eh ? Ha ! 1 know 'em. 
They'll jump at me 1 Jump ! 

[Ulrica and Cecil exchange glances. 

Margaret. 
{^Rises.l Oh, but John 

Ulrica. 
\ At same time.'] Father! 

Cecil. 

[.4/ same time.] No one will lend you 



132 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Sir John. 
Silence ! 

Cecil. 
But, father, what security can you offer them ? 

[^EnUr ViNiNG, with hat, gloves and cane, which 
he gives to Sir John, theji returns to door and 
holds it open. 

Sir John. 
My name! It is good yet, sir. There is no stain on it 
so far. My name! \^Exits erect and dignified. 

Margaret, 
{Following him out.'] John ! John ! 

[Vining follows her and closes door. Cecil is 
standing by chair R. of table, back to audience, 

Ulrica. 

\Comes c. Cecil turns as she speaks.] It is war be- 
tween the famihes now, Cecil. No more visits next door! 

Cecil. 
How do you know ? 

Ulrica. 
Read your letter. 

Cecil. 
Eh? Oh! 

\Takes out letter, sits R. of table and opens it, 

Ulrica. 
Don't pretend you'd forgotten it. 

Cecil. 
{^Laughs.'] I hadn't. I've been longing to read it. 
Mav I? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 133 

Ulrica. 
0\ course. [ Watches him as he reads. 

Cecil. 
\Glances quickly through it.~\ By George, you're right. 

but how did you ? [Ulrica holds up her letter J\ 

From Adrian ? \She nods.] What rot ! 

Ulrica. 
Isn't it? 

Cecil. 
Father's got to apologize. That's all. 

Ulrica. 
[Shakes her head. ~\ He won't ! 
Cecil. 
Then I'll do it for him ! If it comes really to Hecuba, 
I'll carry Esther off in spite of both of 'em and marry her 
under their very noses. 

Ulrica. 
What's to become of me? 

Cecil. 
You do the same thing. 

Ulrica. 
Carry Adrian off? 

Cecil. 

[Laughs.] Why not? [Sudden thought.] Tvegotit! 
Let's have them both in ! 

Ulrica. 
Here ! 

Cecil. 

Certainly. Write a note to Adrian [Ulrica goes 

up L. toward wriiins,- table. Cecil crosses to bell.] I'll 
send it in by Vining. 



134 THE Souse next doob 

Ulrica. 

[At table.] But will they come ? 
Cecil. 

Come .'' Of course they'll come ! [^Rings bell.'] Hurry 
up! Quickly as you can. [Crosses to window. Ulrica 
sits and opens drawer for paper.] By George — they're 
going out together! Where's Vining ? [Enter Vnii'HG 
C. C^cii. goes across to him. Ulrica rises.] Vining! 
Quickly ! Mr. and Miss Jacobson have just gone out — 
run after them — tell them to come here — most important 
— say it's life and death — run ! [Hurrying him out c. 
Cecil runs to the bay window ; excitedly.] They're at 
the corner. They've just turned. Where's Vining.'' 

There he goes ! Well, I'm Call that running? Go 

on ! Go on ! He's round the corner ! 

Ulrica. 
But Cecil! Suppose father comes back while they're 
here ? 

Cecil. 
All the better. We've got to clear all this nonsense 
up some time. Here they come ! 

Ulrica. 
[By doorc, excitedly.] I'll run and tidy up. 

Cecil. 
[Goes to her.] Don't bother about tidying up. [Sud- 
denly.] This is the first room father would come to, 



isn't it? 
Yes. 



Ulrica. 



Cecil. 
Very well. Leave this room to me. 

Ulrica. 
To you ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR llJo 

Cecil. 
You go into the library. I'll send Adrian in to you. 

[Runs io Ulrica and opens doorc, 

Ulrica. 
But I must tidy up. 

Cecil. 
Don't bother about tidying up ! Hurry ! 
Ulrica. 

But— but 

Cecil. 
And don't stand there but-butting— get out ! [Cecil 
hands her out, closes door and then walks down C. "tidy- 
ing up," brushing his clothes, smoothing his hair, arrang- 
ing tie, etc.'] The time women waste " tidying up" ! It's 
ridiculous ! \Turns and is facing door C. Door c. opens ; 
enter Yi^iNG, who shows in Esther and Adrian and 
exits.] Come in. How are you? 

[^Shakes hands with them and they all come down, 
Esther r. of Cecil, Adrian l. of Cecil. 

Adrian. 

What has ? 

Esther. 

Yes — how did you ? 

Cecil. 

Why, you see my father's 

Adrian and Esther. 

Yes 

Cecil. 
Gone to — to — well, he'll be away a long time. See? 
Sit down. So I thought — that is, my sister and I thought 
— that we might have a little cabinet meeting. Eh? To 
decide on our plan of campaign. What do you think ? 



136 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Esther. 
Splendid ! But our fathers 

Cecil. 
We've simply got to leave our fathers entirely out of 
the question ; for a while at least. This is an age of 
children. Fathers have had their innings. Now it's our 
turn. 

Adrian. 

But Ulrica ? 

Cecil. 
[ Turns to Adrian.] Exactly. Ulrica's the very per- 
son to talk it over witli. The very person. Suppose you 
go into the library and join her? [ 7 a/^(f5 Adrian up to 
door c] Eh.-* And I'll stay here and thrash it out with 
Esther. What.-* [Cecil wa/ks Adrian up to door c, 
passing him out.'\ See that door in front of you .-* Just 
turn the handle and walk in. That's it. Don't knock. 
Come back by and by. Don't hurry, though. 

\Closes door C. ; comes down to couch. 

Esther. 
[Sitting c. of couch.'] Oh, but I feel this is very wrong. 

Cecil. 
You being here ? 

Esther. 
What would my father say ? 

Cecil. 
I don't know. 

Esther. 
What will vonr father sav ? 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 137 

Cecil. 



I don't care. 

But you must care. 



Esther. 



Cecil. 
Not a bit. Do you know what I'll do if they go on 
rowing with each other ? ^Leaning- over couch, 

Esther. 
What? 

Cecil. 
Get a special license and marry you one morning before 
either of 'em are up, and then stroll in to breakfast here 
and next door and say, " Hello, here we are ! Married ! 
What ? Bless us ! " \Stts.'\ What do you think of that ? 
Do you like that ? 



Will you? 




Esther. 


Yes, I will. 




Cecil. 


Oh, that's lovely ! 
at hundred pounds. 


Esther. 

Cecil! Father didn't send 
It was mother. 



you 



Cecil. 
For goodness' sake, let us forget all about it. 

Esther. 
I gave mother my opinion pretty freely just now. She's 
caused all the trouble. Just think— father defended her. 
He said a daughter shouldn't criticize her parents. Isn't 
that ridiculous ? 



138 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
Absolutely. 

Esther. 
It's so old-fashioned. 

Cecil. 
Decidedly. 

ESTHKR, 

I think parents are growing more and more impossible, 
don't your 

Cecil. 
Entirely. 

Esther. 
They seem to think it's a sin to be a child. 

Cecil. 
Dreadful : Dreadful ! 1 wonder if we shall be like 
that — as parents ? 

Esther. 
Certainly not. My children shall do just as they like — 
in reason. 

Cecil. 
And their father.^ Won't he have anything to say ? 

Esther. 
Yes. Now and again ! But men don't really under- 
stand these things. They'd much better leave them to 

the mothers — because [She cati/ies /its evt ; baws her 

head : biushes.^ Oh, I shouldn't be talking like this — to 
you. 

Cecil. 

Esther, [/>V//<//;/.^ o<'fr her. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 139 

Esther. 
[^Faces him.'] Cecil! Really? Do you — love me ? 

Cecil. 

No. I hate you. 

Esther. 
[^Rises, goes c. ; turns.] Fancy you loving me ! 

Cecil. 
[^Rises.] Isn't it extraordinary ? 

Esther. 
I don't believe it. 

Ckcii.. 

It isn't true, either. It [A about to embrace her— 

bell rings. They break apart in alarm.] Father! 

Esther. 
{^Alarmed.] Oh! But, Adrian 

Cecil. 
.Adrian's all right. He's in the library. Father will 
conie here first. 

Esther. 
Oh, what can we do ? 

Cecil. 
Uo t Nothing. Stay where you are ! 

Esther. 
Oh. but 

Cecil. 
Not a word ! CHng to me ! \_Enter Vining, C. 



140 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

ViNING. 

Mr. Lewis. 

[Cecil and Esther lau^^h ; enter Lewis. 

Lewis. 
\Comes down c. ; stops short when he sees them.] Oh 
—may I ? [Exit Vining, c. 

Cecil. 
Certainly you may. 

Lewis. 
[Puts his hat on table.'] It's business. 

Cecil. 
All right. Fire away. 

Lewis. 
[Comes c] Before Miss ? 

Cecil. 
Why not? [Whispers in Lewis' tar. 

Lewis. 
Eh.? [Ckcii. whispers again.] Really? No! You're 
not? Are you ? Bravo! You're a wonder ! 

[Shakes his hand warmly. 

Cecil. 
Thank you, Lewis. 

Lewis. 
[Crosses to Esther ; shakes her hands warmly.] My 
very wannest — for both of you. 

Esther. 
Thank you, Mr. Lewis. 

Cecil. 
Now to business. 



TRE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 141 

Lewis. 
Here we arc. \Taking out teltgrani.'\ Paris! Peters- 
burg ! Vienna ! Warsaw ! Berlin — they all want you. 

Esther. 
[/?««, alarmeUJ\ Oh, no ! Not now ! 

Lewis. 

Not now .'' Eh .'• 

Cecil. 
[To Lewis.] You'll get your commission all right ! 

Esther. 
Stay in London, Cecil ! 

Cecil. 

Oh, no, the season's too short, my dear. [Crosses to 
Esther.] We'll take all the engagements. Anywhere. 
Everywhere ! All over the world. IVe, my dear, we f 
[Enter Adrian and Ulrica c. Esther joins 
Ulrica back of couch. 

Lewis. 
[With easy familiarity : shakes /inger at Adrian.] Ah! 

Adrian. 
[Comes down c. ; indignantly.'] What do you mean by 
"Ah"? 

Lewis. 
We've caught you ! 

Adrian. 
Shut up. [To Cecil.] We've made up our minds. 
If there are any more obstacles put in our way, we'll just 
marry and be hanged to them. [They shake hands. 



142 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Cecil. 
Splendid! [£'«/^?' Margaret, c. door. 

Leavis. 
[S/aps Adrian on t/ie s/w7^/(/t'r.'] Well spoken! Bravo! 

Adrian. 
\_lrritably.'] Shut up, Lewis ! 

Margaret. 
[/<? Esther, who is standing above Ulrica at back of 
couch. '\ My dear! 

[Cecil turns up as Margaret enters. 

Cecil. 
This is Adrian Jacobson, mother. 

Margaret, 
I'm very pleased to meet you. \Then looks in amaze- 
ment at the whole gathering. '\ Has youi father returned .'' 

Ulrica. 
No. 

Margaret. 
I do hope nothing has happened. 

Ulrica. 
A great deal has happened in his absence, mother. 
Cecil and I have made up our minds. The rein of tyr- 
anny is over. We're going to be married I 

Margaret. 
Married ! 

Ulrica. 
There's my future husband. 

Cecil. 
And there's my future wife. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 143 

Margaret. 
[^Wringing her hands. ^ But your father? [Lotid ring- 
ing heard.'] Here he is ! 

\_A// turn back to audience simultaneously and look 
at door c. General scene of suspense and ex- 
citement. Positions from l. to R. Lewis, 
Adrian down stage, Cecil, Margaret, 
Ulrica and Esther above sofa. 

Cecil. 
{^Straightening up a little : 7iervously.\ All the better. 
{All turn atul face audience. 

Ulrica. 

{With great show of bravery and thin trembling little 
voice.] I'm glad ! 

Esther. 
{Co?Hes to l., back of couch, very frightened ; to 
Adrian.] Let us go ! 

Adrian. 

{By chair R. of table.] Certainly not ! We'll stay ! 

Cecil. 
{Crosses to Lewis.] Don't you think you'd better go? 

Lewis. 
Why ? Why ? 

Cecil. 

{Front of table.] Well, you know he hates 

{Checks himself. 

Lewis. 
You forget, Cotswold ! I'm a Presbyterian ! 

{Handle of door turns ; all turn, face door. Enter 
Sir John, C. He is white, an^ry, dejected ; 



144 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

he looks from one to the other furiously. MAR- 
GARET and Ulrica are behind couch, Esther 
L,, Adrian by chair R. of table, Cecil and 
hEWlS front of table. 

Sir John. 
[Throws up his hands.'] A synagogue ! 

\_After pause , starts to go to couch R. 

Lewis. 
[Breaks the situation; goes around i.. of table as if to go 
to Sir John. Easily and jauntily ^^ Ah, my dear Sir 

John 

[Sir John ignores him, walks right through group , 
sits down on Chesterfield, looks straight before 
hitn, talks to himself and beats his knee with his 
clenched fist. He looks very frail and feeble. 
Margaret and Ulrica are at back of couch; 
Adrian joins Esther. 

Cecil. 
[Follows Lewis around table, gives him his hat.] I'll 
see you to-night. 

Lewis. 
[Going.] Right ! The old gentleman's not well. 

Cecil. 
I'm afraid not. 

Lewis. 
I'm sorry. Good-night. [In a whisper to the others.] 
Good-bye. [To Adrian and Esther ««^ Ulrica, mak- 
ing a benediction with his hand.] Bless you. 

[Exit, c. 
Cecil. 
[To Esther, by door in whisper.] Go in next door and 
wait for me. Take Adrian with you. I'll call in by 
and by. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 145 

Esther. 
[In whisper.^ But you won't be allowed in! 

Cecil. 
I'll see to that. [Amid much whispering and leave- 
taking, Adrian and Esther creep out c. XJlkicpl pushes 
them off. Margaret stands near Sir John, afraid to 
speak to him Cecil motions Ulrica to speak. She 
shakes her head, smiles.^ Speak to him ! 

Ulrica, 
[r. ^ Cecil in whisper.^ No. You speak! Go on! 

Sir John. 
That's right ! Whisper ! Whisper behind my back. 
Conspirators! All of you. [7^ Margaret.] Have they 
gone? 

Margaret. 
[At back of couch."] Yes, John. 

Sir John. 
Can I breathe Christian air again ? 

Margaret. 
Yes, John, dear ; yes. 

Sir John. 
Thank goodness. 

Margaret. 
Did they lend you the money, dear? 

Sir John. 
\ Angrily.'] No, they did not. Never speak of money 
before me again ! I've done with it. Pah ! I spent the 
whole of this time running over the town abasing myself 
before usurers — leeches. For whom? My son ! To pay 
his debts! 



146 THE HOUi^E NEXT DOOR 

Margaret. 
Oh, John ! 

Sir John. 
S^Mimicking her.'] Oh, John ! What kind of treatment 
did I get ? Would they let me have the money ? Oh, 
yes! They'd let me have it. But on what conditions ? 
A Mr. Levy was prepared to oblige me with a thousand 
pounds if 1 paid him back two thousand ! Another hon- 
est thief offered me five hundred in cash, and the remain- 
ing five hundred in a bicycle, a baby carriage and a sew- 
ing-machine. Then when I agreed to their terms they 
would not let me have it without security. But the awful 
part was that the worst of the Jews was no Jew at all, but 
a genuine, pure-blooded rascally Christian, That was bit- 
ter—bitter ! 

Ulrica, 
\^Witk determination, comes down c. ; faces Sir John.] 
Father, why not look the truth in the face? [Margaret 
makes a movement as if to stop her.] We have gone down, 
down, down in the world. And entirely through you. 



Sir John. 



How dare you 



Ulrica, 
Don't shout at me, father. You've done that so often 
that I don't mind it now. It is entirely through you that 
we are in the wretched position we are in to-day. Your 
reckless expenditures did that. You never understood 
figures. 

Sir John. 
Thank God ! 

Ulrica. 
And that very ignorance brought us to want. Abso- 
lute want. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 147 

Sir JohxN. 
Want ! Want ! What do you mean ? 

Ulrica. 
Oh, you never noticed it. You never would because 
we took care you shouldn't. But mother and I have 
with our own work provided the necessities of life for 
months past, and now when things are mending through 
Cecil, you try to make fresh trouble for us. 

Sir John. 
You've provided the necessities? 

Ulrica. 
Yes. 

[Sir John sits nervously beating his knee and 
twitching, 

Ckcil. 
{Comes L. ^/Ulrica ; cheerily.'] Come ! Come ! That 
IS all past. We'll never speak of anything unpleasant 
like that again ! Congratulate me, father! 

Sir John. 
Congratulate you ? 

Cecil. 
On my engagement ! 



You are engaged ! 
Just now — here! 
Here? 



Sir John. 

Cecil. 
Sir John. 



148 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 
{^Defiantly. '\ And I'm engaged, too. 

Sir John. 
You? 

Ulrica. 
Just now. In the library. 

Sir John. 
To ? 

Ulrica. 
Adrian Jacobson ! 

Cecil. 

Esther Jacobson ! [Sir John rises, stands erect ; his lips 
move, but no sound comes.'] W'e've made up our minds. 
Ulrica has given her youth to you and to her home. It 
isn't fair. She ought to have a chance of being happy. 

Sir John. 
With a Jew ? 

Ulrica. 
I love him. 

Sir John. 
And my son — with a Jewess? 
Cecil. 
I love her ! 

Sir John. 
Children of Jacobson ! 

Cecil. 
I reverence him 1 



TBE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 149 

Sir John. 
Never— never with my consent. 

Cecil. 
But you've always liked Esther. 

Sir John. 
She is the daughter of my enemy. 

Ulrica. 
If you knew Adrian better you'd love him as a son. 

Sir John. 
[Turns to Margaret at back of couch.'] Margaret! 
Say something. After all, you're their mother. Speak ! 

Margaret. 
[At back of couch: terrified.'] Yes— I will— I— if you— 
that is — I don't know. 

Sir John. 
Well, after that clear and well-defined expression of 
opinion there is nothing more to be said except — this. 
[Ckcil and Ulrica have their backs to audience, facing 
Sir John.] You ask me to give my consent to your 
marrying into Mr. Jacobson's family. Here is my 
answer. No ! No ! No ! No ! 

[He is going to door L. Cecil approaches him. 

Cecil. 
[As Sir John reaches door.] Well, give us at least one 
good reason? 

Sir John. 
[By door l.] It is enough that I forbid you. 



150 TEE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Ulrica. 

Father, all my life I've obeyed you. When you've 

been harsh, I've borne it without a word. But I love 

Adrian. 1 love him. My whole happiness is bound up 

in him. Do you want me to sacrifice that as well as my 

youth? Do you? If you do I will, only — only 

\_Covers her face with her hands ami breaks down. 

Sir John. 
\First of all trembles with rage ; then it gradually leaves 
him ; his erect stature shrinks ; his voice from the harsh 
tone of temper modulates to the pathetic break of old age ; 
he moves to Ulrica.] Ulrica ! I see now ! I see I've 
never been quite fair to you. Never quite fair. My dear, 
I'm sorry. Very sorry ! But don't — don't — do this thing ! 

And you, Cecil [Cecil steps down; faces Sir 

John.] I no longer command my boy. I plead ! Yes — 
plead to my own children. Don't — don't do it. At least 
— not — not while I'm alive. Wait — it won't be long. 
Not long. To-day, now — I feel very — very old. Time's 
hand is heavy on me. Ulrica ! Won't you at least pity 
me? 

Ulrica. 
\^Tums to him ; all compassion.'] Father ! 

Sir John. 
Can't you see — ^just a little — with my old eyes? 
Stripped of everything — by one man — not of our race. 
If you and Cecil do this, every one would laugh at me — 
and I couldn't bear that. [^PauseJ] If you must — 
wait until I'm no longer here to feel the shame. That's 
all. That's all! \^Tears come to his eyes ; he brushes the 
back of his hand across his eyes ; his voice fails ^^ Tliat's 
all- — {Totters out l. Margaret sobs. 

Ulrica. 
{Looks at Cecil.] He's right. 



THE HOUiSE NEXT DOOK 151 

Cecil. 



Ulrica ! 

1 couldn't do it now. 

But 



Ulrica. 
Cecil. 



Ulrica. 
V\'e must face our duty. You must, too. Yes. you 
must. We would never have a moment's happiness. 
At least 1 never would. I'd always see my father s face 
and hear his voice as he stood there pleading to us. 

Cecil. 
You'll give up everything? 

Ulrica. 
My place is beside my father. I'll stay beside him. 

Cecil. 
You're right, Ulrica. You're always right. But Es- 
ther—Adrian ? 

Ulrica. 
We must tell them frankly. 

Cecil. 
When? 

Ulrica. 
Now. [Crossing to Margaret.] Don't cry, mother. 
Never cry again. You'll never hear a word of reproach 
or bitterness from me — come, mother dear. 

[Kisses her, 
Margaret. 
My darUng ! 



152 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 

Ulrica. 
Rest here, mother dear, until we come back. 

[Cecil has gone slowly up to door Q.. Opens it. 

Margaret. 
You are going out ? 

Ulrica. 
We're going— next door. [Turns up to Cecil. 

Cecil 
You've made up your mind.'* 

Ulrica. 
Absolutely. And so have you, Cecil. Our first duty 
is to our family. Come, let us face it out. 

Cecil. 
I can't tell Esther. 

Ulrica. 
You must! Just as I'll tell Adrian — never to think of 
me or speak to me again. [Her lips quiver. 

Cecil. 
[Takes her in his arms.'] My poor Ulrica ! 

Ulrica. 

Don't pity me. Help me to be brave — come ! 

[Exeunt Ulrica a«^ Cecil c. " Salut d' Amour' 
is heard outside window on string orchestra. 
ViNiNG enters c. with lamp. Closes door and 
crosses to piano. 

Margaret. 
What is that music, Vining? 

Vining. 
[By piano. Places lamp on piano.] Oh, that's a band 
in the street, my lady. 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 153 

Margaret. 
Close the window, Vining. \_As Vining closes window 
the music sinks to piano. iMARGARET^/a«c^5 toward door 
L., then goes to door c, opens it and turns to Vining.] If 
Sir John should ask, say I've gone next door. 

\_Exit, leaving door open. Vining exits» closing 
door. After a pause door opens L. Sir John 
looks in. All through the act the light has 
gradually been fading. It is now almost dark. 

Sir John. 
Any one there ? \_Goes to door c, opens it, listens, calls.'] 

Margaret {^Louder.'] Margaret. Why doesn't some 

one answer? \_Excitedly.'\ Margaret! \_Runs to door K. , 
opens it. Enter YimtiG, c, with lamp. Turns quickly.] 
Who's that? ^ 

Vining. 

It's me, Sir John. 

[^Puts lamp on sideboard and goes down to door L. 

Sir John. 
Vining. [Vining 5/^/5.] Where's Lady Cotswold ? 

Vining. 
Gone next door, Sir John. 

Sir John. 
What! [^Pause.] Where's Miss Ulrica? 

Vining. 
Gone next door, Sir John. 

Sir John. 
And Mr, Cecil ? 

Vining. 
Gone next door, Sir John. 



154 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOM 

Sir John. 
IPause.'] That'll do. {Bell off ^. Exit Vining.] So 
I pleaded in vain ! My last appeal— my last. 

{^Reenter Vining. 

Vining. 
Sir Isaac Jacobson, Sir John. 

Sir John. 
Sir Isaac ! [Pause.] Show him in. 

lExt'l Vining c. ; leaves door open. Vining 
stands in hall, shows m Jacobson, and closes 
door after Jacobson's entrance. The two men 
bow. 

Jacobson. 
Do I intrude ? 

Sir John. 
Pray be seated, [Indicates chair. 

Jacobson. 
[Moves down R. c, a little below Sir John. Still 
standin^.^ Two days ago you pocketed your pride to call 
on me. 1 have pocketed mine in coming here — now. 

[Pause. 

Sir John. 
I'm entirely at your service. ' 

Jacobson. 
Firstly, 1 wish to apologize. 

Sir John. 
Apologize ! You ! 

Jacobson. 
For my discourtesy two days ago. 



THE HOUtiE NEXT DOOR 155 

SiK John. 
The discourtesy was mine. 1 said certain things — I 
was hasty — 1 — something I've never done before — 1 de- 
sire to apologize — to you. I do apologize. There — I ve 
said it. [Pause.] It's bitter! Bitter! 

Jacobson. 
You don't understand. 

Sir John. 
I insist on apologizing. 1 admit it — I was — a /t/iU un- 
reasonable. 



Jacobson. 



Sir John 



Sir John. 
Since then I've learned something that has affected me 
deeply. My son tells me of his indebtedness — your gen- 
erosity. It is to you he owes his success. To you he 
owes one thousand pounds. 

Jacobson. 
Please. 

Sir John. 
Oh, I'm not going to give it to you ! No ! I've not 
got it! I can't get it. Only to-day I learned that my 
name isn't worth it. [Pai/se.'] All I can tender you is 
my gratitude. 

Jacobson. 
Please don't. I never meant you should know. I 
asked your son not to let you know. [Pause.'] May I tell 
you my second reason for calling? 

Sir John. 
It you please. 



156 THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 

Jacobson. 
Your children are with mine. They are miserably un- 
happy. Mine are very dear to me, Sir John. They love 

yours \_Fause.'] I'm prepared to withdraw what I 

said two days ago, to sink my own feelings. \^Pause.'] 
Shall we let them suffer for our unreasoning prejudices ? 

Sir John. 
My children know my wishes. 

Jacobson. 
And they're prepared to respect them ! 

Sir John. 
Good. 

Jacobson. 
You won't give your consent ? 

Sir John. 
No. Let them wait till I'm no longer here. 

Jacobson. 
[Pause.'] Do you hate me as much as that ? 

Sir John. 
[Looking steadily at him.] I do. 

[Music '* Salut d' Amour" stops. After slight 
pause starts '* Barcarolle,'' from •• Contes 
d' Hoffman." 

Jacobson. 

Very well. I understand your feelings. I appreciate 

and share them. But I would willingly have sacrificed 

mine to insure the happiness of my children. Sir John, 

good-night. [Exit. 

Sir John. 
[Stands looking straight before him. Pause.] Sir Isaac ! 
[Looks around. \ Gone! Well, let him go, [Sits chair 



THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR 157 

R. of table. Sudden thought. \ He gave Cecil a thousand 
pounds wlien he most needed it. Damned decent of 
him. \^Fause~\ He lets me owe him six months' rent 
and not one word. He might have thrown it in my face 
three days ago, yet he didn't. Why? \With gradually 
awakened feelings.'] If only he weren't a Jew. \_His 
hand falls on book. He takes it up.] " The Children of 
the Ghetto " ! Damme, I'll read it. \^l'hi?ikitig.] Have 
I been wronging Jews all my life.'' Have I been wrong- 
ing him? [Dismisses the thought.] But for him what 
might have happened to my boy ? Starved ? A fail- 
ure ! [Paused And to me? Turned into the street! 
[Rises. Drops book to floor. Expresses loneliness as 
he looks around feebly.] 1 wish they'd come back. 
[Faces portrait.] Lord Beaconsfield, the greatest Jew 
of all. Made our laws — upheld the power and dignity 
of our country. Have I been — I wonder — I won- 
der My boy ! Ulrica ! They love his children 

and I stand in their way, [Sits sofa R., feebly.] And 
what do I matter after all ? A year or two at the most 

and then [Sits; his hand falls limply ; he realizes a 

picture of lonely misery.] My time has almost come. 
[Pause; sudden thought; his hands clench.] Money 
gone — estate gone — pride — everything. Just my boy 
and my girl. [Enter Vining c, with newspapers 
which he takes to table l. and arranges. He leaves door 
open. Sir John rises, goes to R. of table, looks vaguely at 
Vining, turns despondently, goes to chair by writing-table 
and leans on it, looking out of window in utter despair; 
turns, picks up hat and cane from table, turns in door to 
V^iNiNG.] Vining [Vining lifts his head and looks at 
him], if any one calls, I'm next door ! 

[Exit c. Vining stands watching him off till the 
curtain is down. 



CURTAIN 



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